StarTimes announces GPL package

The Premier League Board (PLB) in consultation with major stakeholders has rescheduled the start of the 2016/2017 Ghana Premier League (GPL) to the weekend of February 11-12.

The decision was arrived at an emergency meeting and was to give the Black Stars full support in their quest to win the ongoing Africa Nations Cup (AFCON) competition in Gabon.

The postponement was confirmed on Wednesday during the launch of the league at the offices of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) by the Deputy Chairman of the PLB, Mr. George Amoako.

“This was proposed to the Emergency Committee by the PLB and was duly approved.”

Mr. Amoako welcomed the clubs that qualified for the Premier League, Bolga All Stars, Elmina Sharks and the Wonder Club, Accra Great Olympics.

StarTimes Country Director, Mr. Ernest Quaye Arday noted that for the purpose of the league, StarTimes has created a consortium of television, radio and digital media partners to ensure that viewers would enjoy a syndicated and coordinated television viewing in multiple Ghanaian languages.

He said this is to ensure that Ghanaians have a decent access to the league and also provide a good mileage to potential sponsors.

Mr. Arday disclosed that StarTimes is committing a total amount of (Ten Million, Fifty-Two Thousand dollars) US$10, 52,000 for the next 10 years.

Giving a breakdown, he said StarTimes would for the first three years pay the PLB US$700,000; pay $1.8 million the following three years and US$1.2 million in the last tranche.

He said StarTimes is also committed to the FA Cup, Women’s League, Youth Soccer, Division One and the national football gala.

Mr. Arday disclosed that his outfit would make available an amount of $200,000 to support the FA Cup for the first three years, US$70,000 for women’s football, US$100,000 for youth football with the Division One League (DOL) set to enjoy an amount of $120,000.

For the fourth to sixth year of the FA Cup, the company will cough out an amount of US$288,000 to the FA Cup Committee (FACC) with the women’s football organizers also enjoying $100,800.00 (One Hundred Thousand, Eight Hundred dollars), Youth football would receive $144,000 while Division One League (DOL) pickS $172,800.

In the last tranches, FA Cup share of the deal will rise to US$352,000, Women’s Football’s to US$123,200, youth football to receive $176,00 with DOL cashing in US$ 211,200.

He further revealed that for the Gala competition will earn US$60,000, and US$86,400 and $105,600 in the next two tranches.

Acting General Secretary of the GFA, Mr. Isaac Addo thanked StarTimes for agreeing to partner with the GFA to help in the development and promotion of football.

StarTimes presented 16 decoders and dishes to all the participating 16 league clubs which also unveiled their jerseys for the season.