GHALCA Threatens League Boycott

With twelve games to end the league season, the Ghana League Clubs Association (GHALCA) has threatened to boycott the league due to the loss of revenue accrued by clubs from the gates as a result of the issuance of complimentary tickets by the National Sports Council (NSC).

According to the General Secretary, Kojo Fianoo, the clubs would be compelled to boycott the soccer league because of the indiscriminate issuance of the tickets by the NSC, which is a drain on the coffers of the clubs and affecting clubs in a league which has no sponsors.

The GHALCA scribe says they believe in mutual respect and hold the view that since the NSC has a stake in the gate proceeds they should pay for their protocol. He also said that the VIP wing allocated to the FA is meant for only football business and wonders who sits at the other wing meant for the NSC.

He however questioned whether the soccer authorities could issue complimentary tickets when an athletic event is going on. Mr. Fianoo cautioned that Ghana Football would be the loser if such practices continue to go on. Immediately after the league encounter between Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko, investigations revealed that Hearts of Oak lost 150,000 cedis as a result of the issuance of complimentary tickets by the NSC.

Coming in the wake of persistent appeals by clubs to the NSC, GFA and the Ministry for funds, the threat by GHALCA might be a justified one but what action would be taken since this is not the first time GHALCA and the NSC are locked up in such a battle.