Be patriotic about Ghana leagues - Dep Info Minister

Deputy Information Minister Perry Okudzeto has entreated Ghanaians to be more passionate about the local league as that is the only way football in the country can reach the expected European standard.

Mr. Okudzeto bemoaned the total neglect of the Ghana Premier League for European leagues. He argued that until Ghanaians show more commitment towards the local league, football in the country will continue to be on the decline.

According to him, not even son of God as Ghana Football Association president will make any transformation if the current trend stays.

''In Ghana, these days in the smallest kiosk you would see an advertisement Arsenal versus Liverpool but never Kotoko versus Hearts of Oak,'' He said.

''If we continue to glorify the leagues of other nations, our league will not grow whether you bring Jesus Christ and make him FA president.''

He urged all and sundry to make it a point to watch more local football starting from when the upcoming new season which has been delayed due to the legal tussle between Ghana FA and Great Olympics.

Olympics have placed an injunction on the league as they challenge the GFA Disciplinary Committee's decision not to dock Bechem United points for fielding an unqualified player (Joseph Amoah) in last season's Matchday 8 encounter against Bolga All Stars in March.

They ruled that ''A club which opts to be a gracious informant by notifying the GFA of such infractions ought to do so within three days after the match concerned in order for a claim for forfeiture to hold under Article 37 (7) of the General Regulations.''

''It is therefore, the position of this Committee that the process labeled 'Petition' as filed by Accra Great Olympics FC is alien to the rules and regulations for the Disciplinary Committee in the manner of the Ghana FA and cannot thus, be used to invoke the jurisdiction of the Disciplinary Committee in the manner sought by Accra Great Olympics FC.''

An Accra High Court is expected to rule on the case today.

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