WAFA SC are kicking against a proposal to move their 2017/18 Ghana Premier League opening match against Asante Kotoko away from their favorite home grounds to the Cape Coast Stadium.
StarTimes, the official broadcast rights holder of the league, has said it intends to increase the number of live games on TV to 94 by the close of the campaign.
In doing that, StarTimes sent a proposal to the Premier League Board that, to achieve the set target some games will need to be moved to some selected venues – that is the Cape Coast Stadium, Nduom Stadium, Len Clay Stadium and the Baba Yara Stadium on the principle of proximity.
Spokesperson for StarTimes, Eli Kondoh explains:
“We want to get more games on TV so the fans get more of their teams, sponsors get the mileage and same for the clubs and players.
“Aside that, one thing we’ve realized is that architecture wise, not all the venues were designed for TV coverage. We also want the games on better pitches in order to have a good production on TV for the outside world and Ghanaians to enjoy the games and associate with the qualify we have. All these center on TV coverage…
“The first match will be WAFA-Kotoko…”
WAFA angered
But the Operations Manager for WAFA SC, George Ofosuhene has fumed at the move, accusing StarTimes of papering over their inefficiency to move their OB Van across the country.
“First, it is a proposal by the TV rights holders to the GFA. It remains so for now.
“The PLB has forwarded the concerns of the clubs to the Executive Committee. So at 3pm this afternoon, there will be an Emergency Committee meeting involving the clubs, PLB will deliberate over it,” he said in an interview with Nhyira FM.
Ofosuhene continued:
“If StarTimes want to find an excuse with infrastructure, I dare them to come and inspect our home at Sogakope. We have the best pitch and infrastructure, what else? Is it supporters’ ambience or what? They shouldn’t dare WAFA.
“From their own inability to show the matches, they should not dare WAFA,” he repeated. We have the best facility in the whole country, I can confidently say. They [StarTimes] should go to YouTube to check our previous games covered by DSTV and even them last season. If they can’t do their job, they shouldn’t shift the excuse on us.
“We are not moving! We did not subscribe to their contract for our games to be moved from our home.
“Will they also move all our supporters to Cape Coast?
“This morning the supporters have warned us not to even try moving our bus outside Sogakope to honour the Kotoko game else they will boycott our matches this season [sic]”.
He then quipped: “In this case, it is the club you are punishing. Are we under punishment for no violation?.”
Footy-Ghana.com understands that aside WAFA SC, Aduana Stars, Dreams FC and Hearts of Oak are other clubs who have strongly kicked against the StarTimes proposal.
