Sub-Middle league kicks off on August 26
Accra (Greater Accra) 16 August 2000
The Ghana Football Association (GFA), the Professional
League Board (PLB) and representatives of Premier League clubs have agreed on
the use of independent observers during league matches in a bid to end the
growing spate of violence that has characterised the ABC league.
The independent observers would not be known to neither of
the clubs and their reports would carry the same weight as that of referees and
match commissioners.
The agreement was reached at an emergency meeting organised
by the GFA and PLB to find a lasting solution to the recent violence that has
engulfed the premier league.
The meeting identified hooliganism, bad officiating, lack
of security and delays in dispensation of justice by the GFA's disciplinary
committee.
Mr. Herbert Mensah, Board Chairman of Kumasi Ashanti
Kotoko, laid most of the blame at the doorsteps of the referee since most of
their questionable decisions turn to incite spectators, especially, during away
matches.
"Some of the referees do not even have good command of
the English language and questioned how they could write good reports for
decisions to be taken on them.
It was also agreed that most of the club officials are not
conversant with the rules of the game and said there is the need for seminars
to educate them.
On the use of video evidence, the representatives deferred
it adding that the independent body should handle it. The meeting also called
for security to be beefed up at violence prone centres to protect visiting
teams.
On the press, the meeting urged them to be circumspect and
fair to all teams and not allow their club affiliations to cloud their writings
since these have profound effect on spectators.
Mr. Mensah again stressed on the need for dialogue among
club chairmen instead of always running to the GFA with petty problems that
could easily be solved among themselves.
Present at the meeting were Mr. Worlanyo Agra, General
Secretary of the GFA, menders of the PLB and 14 club chairmen and
representatives of the Premier clubs.
GRi.../
Accra (Greater Accra) 16 August 2000
The sub- middle league, involving all zonal division one
league winners and runners up kicks off at six centres on Saturday, August 26.
Mr. Kwaku Ampim Darko, the deputy General Secretary
(technical) of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) told the GNA Sports that
the exercise, which will end on Saturday, September 2, will produce six
qualifiers to participate in the National Middle League.
He said first and second placed clubs in the National
Middle League will qualify automatically for the Premier League, while the
second runner up would play the team which places 14th in the Premier League
for the last Premier League slot.
According to the fixtures released by the GFA, Zone One-A
winners, Republicans challenge Zone B winners Arsenals in the first match at
the Len Clay Stadium in Obuasi on August 26 while Yeji Stars, face Upper West
Heroes at the Kumasi Sports Stadium on the same day.
Zone Two opens the competition with a cracker at Nkawkaw
between Obuasi Adansiman and Odupong Heroes while Neoplan Stars meet Swedru All
Blacks at Dawu.
At Cape Coast, Real Sportive face Suhum Maxbees in a Zone
Three encounter with Zone B winners, Ho Voradep confronting Sportnet in the
other group match at Sekondi.
On Wednesday, August 30, Zone One resumes with Arsenals
versus Upper West Heroes at Obuasi while Yeji Stars face Republicans at the
Kumasi Sports Stadium.
All Blacks play Odupong Heroes at Dawu as Neoplan challenge Adansiman at Nkawkaw in Zone Two. In Zone Three, Voradep vie with Maxbees at Cape Coast and Sportnet meet Sportive at Sekondi.
The curtain draws on Saturday, September 2 with matches at all the
centres. Arsenals slug it out with Yeji Stars at the Kumasi Sports Stadium and
Upper West Heroes fight it out with Republicans at Obuasi.
At Dawu, Odupong Heroes play against Neoplan Stars, while
Adansiman challenge All Blacks at Nkawkaw. Maxbees confront Sportnet at Sekondi
in a Zone Three fixture and Sportive and Voradep meet at Cape Coast.
GRi.../