The Global Access Savings & Loans Limited has emerged the overall winner in the maiden football tournament of the Ghana Association of Savings and Loans Companies (GHASALC).

The event, which was organized by the Global Media Alliance (GMA) and sponsored by Opportunity International Savings and Loans Limited (OISL), took place at the Sports Park of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST).

A statement issued by the GMA and copied to the Ghana News Agency at the weekend said the football gala aimed at bringing members together to network and exchange ideas through recreational activities.

It said the tournament witnessed members of GHASALC battle it out for the ultimate trophy through knockout phases with winners at each round progressing to the next stage of the competition.

With all the knockout stages being played on the same day, participants and spectators alike had a great day of excitement and sportsmanship, the statement added.

The statement quoted Executive Secretary of GHASALC, Ms Eunice Brako Marko, as saying “GHASALC members are not just companies in the microfinance industry that provide savings and loans

services but an association of Savings and Loans companies, regulated by Bank of Ghana, and were required to provide a capital of GH? 15 million, as at March 2014, before licensed to operate.

She said that GHALSAC was proud of its contribution to the country's economy by ‘further expanding financial

service accessibility to the unbanked and those who are underserved by commercial banks".

Chief Executive Officer of OISL, Mr Kwame Owusu-Boateng stated that: "As a player in the industry, OISL is committed to investing in our country and our people and our sponsorship reflects our passion for the growth and development of this important sector".

The statement said First Allied savings & Loans Company came second, while Utrak Savings & Loans Company and Opportunity International came 3rd and 4th, respectively.

The first three positions were presented with medals with the overall winner lifting the ultimate gold trophy.