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| Opinions are divided on whether Ghana Premier League should be resumed or annulled. |
When Covid-19 broke free and entered our country, Ghana, little did we know that, it was going to be a fibre of our every day lives. From afar, we saw countries record abnormal cases and deaths.
Ghana recorded it's first two cases on March 12,2020 that was, the turning point in our lives, our economy and major activities having to cede its position to virus.
As part of efforts, the President suspended public gatherings in the country leading to the suspension of sporting activities of which, football a contact sport was affected, the Ghana Premier League was suspended on March, 15.
This however heightened calls for the annulment of the league like Kenya, Mali, Zambia, Congo and others had done to safeguard it's citizens from contracting the deadly virus.
According to him,it will be "irresponsible to restart football without a 100% safety guarantee, it won't be proper to risk anyone's life”. he told Asempa FM.
Ghalca Chairman Kojo Fianoo, Ignatius Osei Fosu(Eleven Wonders), Asare Bediako of Berekum Chelsea and others waded into the calls for the cancellation of the season.
In a sharp contrast, Bechem United CEO Nana Kwasi Darlington held an opposing stance calling for the league's continuation despite the coronavirus outbreak backed by Godwin Attram, Commodore Mensah.
"We should not end the league because of the COVID-19, but we should continue. I won't opt for cancellation, or it being truncated," he told Opemsuo Sports.
Meanwhile, Communications Director of the GFA, Henry Asante Twum was of the view that, you ought not bite off the hand that feeds you.
"I'm saying these people have spent on the league, including the GFA, when you take a decision without consulting them, because of Covid-19, what happens to the relationship with StarTimes, Nasco and other partners”
To borrow the words of our President Nana Akufo Addo, "I assure you that we know what to do to bring back our economy back to life but we can’t bring people back to life"
I am of the believe that in these trying times, shouldn't we prioritize human lives over every other thing? Are we basing the resumption of league on the logic that, sponsors might have invested too much to lose out on the league been cancelled?
What are the safety measures to safeguard the lives of players, technical staff, supporters, media men and other auxiallry staff that troop to the stadium? What happens if we carefully plan the new season, because from the look of things Covid-19 will be around for a while?
The GFA has held a series of meetings with the President's Covid-19 committee, stakeholders and partners in the last few weeks as it looks to meet its June 30 deadline to make a definite decision on the league's next move.
By: JasonBannerman