The national Premier League is certain to kick off latest by the middle of May, and participating clubs would do themselves a lot of good to brace up for plenty of mid-week action, according to an official of the Ghana Football Association.

"The clubs could be playing a lot of Sunday and Wednesday matches to get the year through with".

Mr. Sylvester Twintoh Mensah, Chairman of the Professional League Board (PLB) and amember of the FA's Management Board, could not put his finger on a specific kick off date but was confident it cannot be delayed beyond mid-May.

The PLB itself meets today, Tuesday to review its programme for the year, which has been destabilised largely as a result of the protracted disputes and protests from the Division One League. The review would also seek to incorporate the Black Stars and Ghana's representatives in continental soccer, the duo of Accra Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko's programmes into the wider picture of the league table.

He explained that with the way cleared for the completion of the only remaining sub-middle league games in Zone 3B, which lasts for one week, another week would be needed for the middle league proper and then the play off for two days follows. This would pave the way for the final determination of qualified clubs for the 16-club 2003 Premier League.

Before the league kicks off, there is the issue of the annual Gala ritual to usher in the league, but the more vexatious issue of registration of players would also be attended to before the league games. Unlike the past when relatively long periods were opened for the registration of players, the situation changes this time around.

Rather than the long period, the FA is considering a two window registration opening, one before the league starts and the other a few games into the second round matches to allow clubs the opportunity of parading their best and also plugging up likely holes that would be realised in the course of the matches.

The mode however promises to put extra steam into the annual ritual of player registration as clubs and players would peck up their heckling for signatures. While the relatively short period for registration would not allow too much room for long talks, both parties are expected to make the best of the situation by concluding mutually acceptable contracts.