President’s Cup attracts sponsorship

By Sammy Heywood Okine

The concept of sports as big business is catching up very well as some companies have come on board to support the President’s Cup match to make it easy to be organized.

Sidalco, a company that deals in farming and its implements, NDK Financial Services, Voltic mineral water and TT Brothers, distributors of fruit beverages and other drinks and products were last Friday outdoored as the sponsors of the President’s Cup which will be played between the top two clubs at the end of the league season.

New sensations Berekum Chelsea will lock horns with Kumasi Asante Kotoko at the Accra Sports Stadium on July 1st for the newly donated trophy from the government.

According to Alhaji Raji, the interim chairman of the Ghana League Clubs Association (GHALCA), the organisers of the match, there will be samples of the sponsors’ services at the stadium and football fans must try to be there as early as possible to enjoy matches among colts teams and the Parliamentarians against the officials of the clubs, GHALCA.

He noted that at a very short period, the new interim executive have put together pieces to organize the game and commended his planning committee made up of Vincent Sowah Odotei, Kofi Manu, Delali Senaya, Karim Kudaya, Winfred Osei Parma, Desmond Frimpong Manso, Mohammed Alhassan and Oduro Sarfo .

He stressed that within a very short time fans will see the new ideas and changes he will bring on board to save Ghana football and make the fans return to the stands.

The President’s Cup match will attract a moderate gate fee of two Ghana Cedis for Popular Stand and five Ghana Cedis for the VIPs.

Mr. Erasmus Adorko, deputy director general at the National Sports Authority said the President’s Cup is the first trophy that must be competed for in the nation and prayed that there will be a good game.

He expressed that the day should be well spent for benefit to be derived, such as the two participating sides getting appearance fees of 10,000 Ghana Cedis each with the winner carrying home 5,000 Ghana Cedis plus a huge trophy, whilst the runners-up get 2,000 Ghana Cedis.

He reminded Ghanaians of the Republic Day (July 1) celebrations as a day to commemorate Ghana’s attainment of republican status and it is a holiday that must be celebrated positively.