Sports News of Saturday, 23 January 2016

Source: kasapafmonline.com

We are confident of landing sponsorship for GPL - Afriyie

GFA Veep George AfriyieGFA Veep George Afriyie

The deputy FA chief is confident that the elite competition is attractive enough to entice new sponsors

The vice president of the Ghana Football Association, George Afriyie, has denied reports that a new headline sponsor of the Ghana Premier League has been finalised, but maintains the competition still has what it takes to attract corporate entities.
Scheduled to kick off on February 20, the Ghanaian topflight is likely to commence without any sponsorship following First Capital Plus Bank’s withdrawal over “restructuring” purposes.

The financial company, now renamed Capital Bank, had earlier signed a five year deal worth $2 million per year in February 2014.

“I think somebody like me speaks on authority,” Afriyie told Class FM, “when I speak, it’s a statement.

“Once we have not sealed or concluded any deal with any sponsor, it will be difficult for me to speculate. Once the deal is sealed, we will definitely announce it.

“The Premier League is a good brand and we will definitely get a sponsor.

“If the body responsible for sponsoring the league – a corporate company like First Capital Plus, now Capital Bank – decides to say ‘I’m opting out’, they are also aware of the consequences. We will look out for another sponsor if they don’t come back.”
Ashanti Gold are the defending champions of the local topflight.