The National Sports Authority has swiftly redrawn its earlier directive of charging fees on Ghana Premier League clubs in the use of the Accra Sports Stadium.
In a statement, the NSA noted that the intervention of the Minister of Sports, Isaac Kwame Asiamah, and concerns raised by other key stakeholders triggered the withdrawal.
The NSA in a statement signed by the Director-General, Professor Peter Twumasi, on Tuesday indicated that the new user fees are expected to run during the COVID-19 and will be subject to review by management.
“Management would like to bring to your notice and attention of fees as well as Teams and Conditions associated with the usage of the Accra Sports Stadium involving Premier League Matches, Matches between Hearts and Kotoko and the National Teams are grouped under “Category A”,” the statement reads.
“Matches between Hearts or Kotoko versus other Premier League clubs are grouped under ‘Category B’ and matches between other clubs excluding Hearts and Kotoko are grouped under “Category C”, it continued.
Clubs previously paid a share of the gate proceeds from matches as part of their contribution for using the stadium for their league which was normally practiced in the country.
But the NSA announced a new method for paying for using the stadium on Tuesday 20th October, 2020 with almost three weeks to the start of the 2020/21 football season.
The home teams were billed to pay GHC 20,000 per match under Category B matches whilst Category C matches will attract GHC 15,000 which is extremely high for the clubs who are already reeling under the difficulties of Covid-19 and the lack of sponsorship for the league.
This has forced GFA chief to react, adding he was going to engage the NSA to avoid the high charges announced the body in charge of stadiums in the country.
“I have read in the public space a statement from the NSA on new stadia user facility charges. I will say this is unfortunate and our GFA will engage the NSA on this exorbitant and unacceptable fees!!!,” he wrote on Twitter .
Mr. Okraku who was not happy with the high fees took to social media handle to assure clubs his outfit will have a meeting with the NSA to address the issue.
I have read in the public space a statement from the NSA on new stadia user facility charges.
I will say this is unfortunate and our GFA will engage the NSA on this exorbitant and unacceptable fees!!!#BringBackTheLove pic.twitter.com/veDwUG70DT
— Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku (@kurtokraku) October 20, 2020
However, Professor Peter Twumasi (NSA Director General), on Wednesday morning confirmed in an interview with Kumasi FM that his outfit has suspended the new charges for the usage of the stadium for the upcoming season.
