League sponsorship deal to be discussed

The Professional League Board (PLB) is scheduled to meet officials of the Ghana Brewery Limited (GBL) on Friday for a possible renewal of the five years, ?850 million renewable sponsorship deal for the Star premier league.

Mr Sylvester Mensah, Chairman of the PLB told the GNA Sports in a telephone interview that he could not guarantee whether or not the amount would be increased but said it would be unfair for it to be maintained taking into consideration the current economic situation.

The sponsorship was increased by ?250 million last season but was described by soccer officials as very meagre. Consequently, the PLB said it would write to all the 16 clubs to present their audited accounts as a pre-requisite for participating in the Star Premier league scheduled to kick-start on March 10.

The league is to be heralded by the national gala fixed for the second and third of next month. Mr Mensah said the issue of audited accounts, which has been flouted with impunity, will be a major topic to be discussed at the next GFA congress to be held on 26th and 27th of this year.

Congress reiterated at it last session that the audited account should be a pre-requisite for qualified teams to feature in the elite league but has failed to punish clubs, which flouted the rule. Members would use the occasion to discuss also the performance of the Black Stars at the CAN 2002 in Mali.