Sports News of Sunday, 22 July 2012

Source: MTNfootball

Nyantakyi urges calm over sponsorship money

Ghana FA chief Kwesi Nyantakyi has pleaded with football fans not to demonstrate against Glo for non-payment of the sponsorship money to the clubs.

Glo, who are the headline sponsors of the league, have failed to pay monies owed to the clubs despite the huge publicity they have enjoyed from the league.

Ghanaian clubs are facing difficult times because Globacom has failed to pay the monies over the past two years.

Fans of the key clubs in Ghana are threatening to demonstrate against the Nigerian firm for non-payment of the sponsorship.

But Nyantakyi says peaceful means must be used to ensure that Glo pays the clubs their money.

"We also heard about it (demonstration) in the media. It is not an event endorsed or approved by the Ghana Football Association," Nyantakyi said.

"Our style is not in confrontation. Our style is diplomacy.

"We will approach every problem with a diplomatic touch and not to embark on armed struggle or a demonstration.

"I want to appeal to the supporters to exercise restraint. They should have confidence in the GFA that whatever grievances they have we are capable of resolving them with Glo.

"We appreciate Glo's support over this period. We also recognise that they have difficulties in meeting their financial obligation.

"In order to forestall situations like this we should have an amicable ways to resolve our problems. We should not resort to the media and demonstrations to solve our problems."

The patience of the clubs is running thin as they negotiated a 30per cent reduction in the $3million package for the 2009/2010 and 2010/2011 season.

Despite this gesture from the club Glo has failed to live up to its promise of paying all the monies remaining citing the delay to roll out their services fully in Ghana.

Glo began its five-year partnership with Ghana football in December, 2008.