Accra, May 16, GNA - The Professional League Board (PLB) on Wednesday launched the Second Edition of the Premier League Awards aimed at rewarding outstanding performers of the just ended Onetouch Premier League.

The Awards, scheduled for June 9, has fourteen categories all designed to recognise the achievements of players, coaches, referees and administrators in the past soccer season.

Mr Welbeck Abra-Appiah, Chairman of the PLB who launched the programme in Accra on Wednesday said his outfit and the Ghana Football Association (GFA) deemed it fit to recognise the achievements of all major stakeholders since the season will not have been successful without their participation.

He said they were confronted with various constraints such as the synchronisation of the season with the European league, new regulations, introduction of new transfer windows and other regulations, which they were able to handle for a successful season with minimal difficulties. There will be 14 awards to be given to the deserving players, coaches, referees, administrators and individuals. Out of the 14, eight will be decided by public voting through SMS messages, whilst the remaining six are purely technical and will be decided by a special committee.

Among the awards to be decided by the public are, Player of the Season, Discovery of the Season, Most Improved Club, Best Behaved Venue, Defender of the season, Goalkeeper of the Season, Best Referee, Coach and Chairman of the season.

Mr Abra-Appiah was of the view that the coming soccer season will be more successful since they effort are been put in place to have a much improved season last year.

Mr Philip Sowah, Chief Executive of Onetouch Ghana Limited gave the assurance of his company's continued support to the Premier League and other associated events.

He described the sponsorship of premiership by the company as an investment into the future aimed at providing the youth with employment opportunities.