Malta Guinness Women's Premier League announces cash awards for best players, coach ahead of new season

The Ghana Football Association (GFA) and Malta Guinness, the official sponsor of the Women's Premier League, have introduced individual cash awards for the upcoming season. The Overall Best Coach, as well as the Best Player in both the Southern and Northern Divisions, will each receive GH₵10,000 for their performances.

This announcement was made on Tuesday during the launch of the 2024/2025 Malta Guinness Women’s Premier League in Accra.

In her address, the Marketing Manager of Malta Guinness, Dinah Asabea Darko, explained that the new awards are "aimed at recognizing and rewarding the hard work and commitment that players and coaches contribute to the growth of the league."

Darko added: “In further support of excellence, this season we are proud to introduce special cash awards for the best player in both the Southern and Northern Divisions, as well as the best coach of the season."

She also congratulated Hasaacas Ladies for their victory in the 2023/2024 season and expressed excitement for the upcoming season, wishing all teams the best.

The event was attended by officials from Malta Guinness, captains and coaches of participating clubs, officials of the GFA, other stakeholders, and the press.

Season overview

Organizers announced that the new season will begin on Friday, October 18, 2024, with 20 clubs competing across the Northern and Southern Zones.

In the Northern Zone, Kumasi Sports Academy will host Supreme Ladies in their opening match, while Dreamz Ladies will travel to face Tamale Super Ladies. Other fixtures include Northern Ladies versus FC Savannah, Fosu Royal Ladies against Sung Shinning Ladies, and Prisons Ladies taking on Ampem Darkoa Ladies on Matchday 1.

In the Southern Zone, Ladystrikers FC will host Police Ladies, Hasaacas Ladies will face Berry Ladies at home, Soccer Intellectuals will travel to meet Army Ladies, Epiphany Warriors will play Faith Ladies, and Jonina Ladies will welcome Halifax Queens.

The first round will run from the weekend of October 18-21, 2024, until January 24-27, 2025. The second round will begin from January 31-February 3, 2025, and conclude on the weekend of April 11-14, 2025.

The league will take a break for the December 7, 2024, National Elections to allow players and officials to fulfill their civic duties. Additional rest periods will include Christmas and New Year breaks, as well as scheduled dates for the 2024/25 Women’s FA Cup matches.

The grand finale between the winners of the Northern and Southern Zones is set for the weekend of May 2-5, 2025. Completing the league in early May will enable the eventual winner to participate in the WAFU B Champions League qualifying competition.

Investment and development

The Women's Football Representative on the GFA Executive Council, Gifty Oware Mensah, highlighted the significant investment made in the development of women's football, supported by Malta Guinness.

She noted that the GFA has trained more women coaches than any other African country over the past three years and has made substantial efforts in developing administrators, coaches, and officiating officials.

Additionally, each of the 20 clubs will receive 30 pairs of football boots, 30 footballs, and appearance fees of GH₵60,000 for Northern Zone clubs and GH₵65,000 for Southern Zone clubs.

Oware Mensah also assured that all matches in the upcoming season will have extensive media coverage across both zones.