Kumasi, Dec 5, GNA - Mr Kwame Boafo, Board Secretary of Kumasi Asante Kotoko Football Club has asked football clubs in the country to explore other avenues of revenue mobilisation instead of relying solely on gate proceeds.

He said the over-reliance on gate proceeds to run the clubs had proved ineffective since the gate proceeds were inadequate to meet their demands and had plunged some of the clubs into financial crisis. Mr Boafo said this situation has compelled the four clubs, which will represent the country in Africa next year to fall on the government for assistance and described the situation as unfortunate.

The Board secretary was speaking at the launch of the maiden Otumfuo Invitational Cup Tournament in Kumasi on Friday, which kick-starts on December 11 to 18 at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi. Kumasi Asante Kotoko, King Faisal and AshantiGold, all from Ghana, Enyimba FC of Nigeria, Asec Mimosa of Cote d'Ivoire and Asfa Yennega of Burkina Faso are taking part in the tournament, which has a cash prize of 75,000 dollars to be shared among the four teams.

Mr Boafo said clubs would reap a lot of money if they streamlined the sale of their paraphernalia in their colours instead of the manner in which they are sold haphazardly without control and un-coordinated. The Kotoko Board Secretary who chaired the function, expressed worry about the animosity between supporters of Kotoko and Hearts of Oak which sometimes led to clashes and tasked the leadership of the two most glamorous clubs in the country to sensitise their supporters to see themselves as opponents but not enemies.

"Supporters should understand that football is not about enmity and hatred but a game to promote friendship and brotherliness". Mr Boafo was equally not happy that Hearts of Oak refused to take part in the Otumfuo Invitational Cup Tournament and said their participation would have boosted the tournament's excitement.

Mr Kudjoe Fianoo, acting Chief Executive of AshGold said the club would be a formidable side in next season's Premier league because pragmatic measures had been put in place to ensure their success. "We are recruiting the best players this season to enhance the renaissance of AshGold", he added.