GHALCA expands President’s Cup
Football fans across the country will henceforth have a closer feel of the President’s Cup as the organisers have expanded it into a mini-tournament, which will be played at some regional capitals and districts to give it a national character.
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Played on Republic Day, July 1, each year, in honour of the sitting Head of State, the President’s Cup has often pitted power houses Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko against each other, or involved other select sides in a one-off clashes.
However, the organisers, GHALCA, have included lower division sides in this year’s competition which will climax with Hearts and Kotoko clashing at the Accra Sports Stadium with the President and other key dignitaries in attendance
GHALCA chairman, Kudjoe Fianoo, disclosed to the Graphic Sports that new format was fashioned out in response to complaints from football fans that the President’s Cup had only been restricted to Accra to the deprivation of other football fans outside the nation’s capital.
He said, beside the big clash in Accra, WAFA and Kpando Heart of Lions will pit their strength against each other in a regional derby which is likely to attract a lot of fans to the Sogakope Park.
In other interesting pairings, Apostles of Power Soccer, Brong Ahafo United, will meet their arch-rivals Tano Bofoakwa in a titanic clash that will rekindle their age-long rivalry, with Premiership sides Techiman City playing against Bechem United in another regional rivalry at the Nana Ameyaw park.
Other derbies lined up include Ebusua Dwarfs versus Venomous at the Cape Coast Sports stadium, Dreams FC versus Okwawu United at the Dawu park, Wa All Stars vs Wa Rockets at the Wa stadium and Dunkwa United take on Starky at Dunkwa.
According to Mr Fianoo, Districts, Municipal and Metropolitan Chief Executives, as well as Regional Ministers, have been contacted to liaise with their respective sports administrators to organise the President’s Cup in their localities to make it more attractive.
