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| Frederick Moore, Hearts of Oak CEO |
Since the outbreak of the deadly coronavirus, lots of persons in and around football have had their varied opinions on the Ghanaian topflight league.
This has led to calls from some sections of football loving fans to call for resumption of league but under safety protocols from the government and International Health Bodies whilest some have called strongly for the complete annulment of the league.
However, Hearts of Oak CEO, Mr. Frederick Moore has waded into calls for the league to be postponed considering the financial impact the virus has on several clubs in the Premier League particular his outfit, which is not in the position to bear some of the cost due to inactivity of the league.
"Without supporters being at the stadium, to play the league will not be my first choice, because one third of our revenue comes from gate proceeds"
The CEO recounts the cost involved in camping players, the cost of training and paying salaries whilst playing in a stadium without gate proceeds will burden the club, Moore insists Ghanaian clubs are not rich in terms of sponsorship where those aspects could be taken care of by a sponsoring company.
"Basically, you telling me to pay for the cost of camping players, have the cost of training paid, pay salaries and then play without supporters, we are not as endowed as other countries in terms of sponsorship"
Frederick Moore suggested if the league must at all cost be played behind closed doors despite calls for postponement, there is the need for all stakeholders to come to the round table for proper considerations.
"But if that is what we need for football to be played, if that is the objective to make Ghana football meet beating 2019/20 league season then we have to go back down on the table and do the calculations, do the planning, do the processing and make sure that we are there" he said.
The Kurt Okraku administration has in recent times met the Presidential Committee on Covid-19 seeking advice on the next line of action with barely few days to meet the June 30 deadline regarding the future of league.
Meanwhile, premier League club, Legon Cities FC last week have conducted Covid-19 tests for all their players and staff of the club, a move that has received global applauds as the club is the first in Ghana to conduct the coronavirus test for their players at the cost of $80.00 per head.
JasonBannerman