Accra, Aug 26, GNA - The Ghana League Clubs Associations (GHALCA) has given Kumasi based television station, Crystal TV the right to telecast the on going Kinapharma Premier League matches outside the country for free on pilot basis.

Speaking to GNA Sports, Mr Kudjo Fianoo, Administrative Secretary of Ghalca said they agreed to this new arrangement, which is in line with the earlier agreement signed between the Ghana Football Association (GFA) and the TV station does not breach any contract.

He said the association reached this compromise after they decided to reject the new sponsorship package from Crystal TV, which also allows for the screening of selected matches live on Ghana Television.

Mr Fianoo said consequently the association has asked the GFA to refund the 102 thousand dollars it had received from the T.V. station. He said the position of Ghalca on the issue is not intended to hold back the time since they also recognize the benefits that clubs stand to gain from television rights, adding, "it is important that the right thing is done for everybody to be happy at the end.

"But the fact of the matter is that the money involved in the deal is too small to be beneficial to the clubs since they stand to lose heavily at the gate should the matches be shown live on television. "We have consequently decided to ask the GFA to return the Crystal TV's monies to them since the agreement does not have us, the main protagonist, in mind. We are asking them to come next year for fresh negotiations with Ghalca."

"In order not to re-enact the confusion that happened this year, we would ask the GFA and Crystal TV to involve Ghalca right from the start so that the any agreement reached would be in the interest of all parties."

He said they agreed to the earlier 102 thousand dollar proposal from Crystal TV on the grounds that matches would not be shown live.

"We went on further to agree with them that from next year, if they want to show any matches live, they should pay one million dollars to cover the next four years."

He said Crystal TV rejected the one million dollar agreement and said they can only raise 600, 000 dollars so that the clubs would top it from their own sponsorship deals.

Mr Fianoo said they agreed upon the first proposal on the grounds that it will expose Ghana soccer to foreign clubs and agents who might be interested in our players.

"It will also save us from going round from one television station to another looking for footage of matches for the agents and clubs to watch the players they want.