Organizers of the Happyman Bitters Inter-community Soccer Competition (HAMISOC), Fehna Entertainment, have officially unveiled this year’s event in Navrongo.

The annual event which is in its third year since 2016, according to officials, is tailored towards the development of football talents, teams and promotion of unity in the area.

HAMISOC is also another way main sponsor of the competition, Charger Limited, is giving back to society.

At a brief ceremony to officially announce this year’s games and to interact with participating teams, coaches and football officials on Saturday, Corporate Affairs Manager of Fehna Entertainment, Moro Ali said the competition is open to all communities and teams within the enclave of Kasena-Nankana.

“HAMISOC 2018 is open to all communities and teams from the Kasena-Nankana Municipal and Kasena-Nankana West District”.

He said the successes of the competition over the years have called for organizers to put together a more exciting event this year.

Mr. Moro hints that as part of plans to make the competition attractive and more rewarding this year, an appearance fee is being worked on for all participating teams; an addition he said was not included in the previous competitions.

“The previous years, we’ve not had something like an appearance fee. This year, every team is getting an appearance fee so when you decide to compete for HAMISOC 2018 by default you are going home with an appearance fee.



“The appearance fee makes everybody a winner. Previously, we only gave products from the main sponsor but this year we are including monetary packages so that team can use this to support themselves”.

He indicated that this year’s competition will see all teams compete from the preliminary stages to finals, a diversion from previous trend where teams were put in zones. He said this is to curb instances where stronger teams take undue advantage of the weaker ones.

“This year, we have decided to bring all the teams together and then have a common ballot. Previously, they played against each other in their various communities before they came to the central at the quarter finals. But this year we have zoned them. So that we can have that mixture and then will actually try and know their strength.

“Since they are in the same area, they already know which teams are strong and which are not. But with this new addition, all teams will compete on equal grounds,” Mr. Moro explained.

On security, organizers assured teams of maximum police presence to take care of any disturbances. They said although no unrest have been recorded in previous competitions, providing sound environment for the teams to play will not compromised.

The organizers wished all teams well and urged them to play their best.

Some of the teams in an interview with our reporter shared their satisfaction on their engagement with the organizers.

They said they are gratified with the new measures put in place to enhance the beauty of the competition. They welcomed the appearance fee and said it will help cushion their financial burden.

The 2018 edition of HAMISOC is set to start on July 28 and it is dubbed "The World Cup Edition". Since its inception three years ago, winners of the maiden edition; Paga Crocodile Stars have been able to secure a spot in the Division one league. Winners of the second edition are Pungu FC and they are currently a Division Three club.