Ghana Premier League in limbo after President’s address

“I have, by Executive Instrument, provided for these new directives, and extended the suspension of the remaining public gatherings until 31st July…..I am referring to the suspension of sporting events, nightclubs, cinemas, drinking spots, bars, beaches, festivals, funerals, political rallies, and large religious gatherings such as crusades, pilgrimages and conventions.” 

From all indications, the Premier League in Ghana will not resume after June as expected by football fans. The GFA President, Kurt Okraku had suggested that they would announce the way forward for soccer in Ghana by the end of June. However President Akufo-Addo’s statement last night has made this highly unlikely.

The President of the Republic, His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in his tenth address to the nation on the Covid-19 pandemic on Sunday, May 31 extended the suspension of all sporting events till 31st July.

The President said: 
“I have, by Executive Instrument, provided for these new directives, and extended the suspension of the remaining public gatherings until 31st July…..I am referring to the suspension of sporting events, nightclubs, cinemas, drinking spots, bars, beaches, festivals, funerals, political rallies, and large religious gatherings such as crusades, pilgrimages and conventions.” 

Although the President eased restrictions on sports by paving the way for individual and non contact sports to commence, playing football is still a distant priority for government. 

The football world has been hugely affected by the novel corona virus and most leagues have either been cancelled or suspended.

 
Last month in Bolivia, the city of Beni was thrown into mourning following the death of a football star, a club president and a manager all of whom lost their lives due to the corona virus.

A 25-year-old Deibert Frans Roman Guzman, who starred for second division University of Trinidad, lost his battle with Covid-19  after several weeks in hospitals.

It was a double heartbreak for his family after the earlier death of his father, Belizario Roman, the former president of the club, and his uncle Luis Carmelo Roman, manager of Deportivo Perejique who all lost their lives due to Covid-19.

The Ghana Premier League has been suspended since mid March and fans have to wait until June 30 when the GFA will decide on the league’s future.

 
Mustapha Hadji (Dean of Sports)