GHALCA-GTV on warpath, over coverage of Top 4

Accra, Oct. 29, GNA - State television station, Ghana Television (GTV) is likely to be excluded from the coverage of this year's GHALCA Top Four soccer competition because of its astronomical demands to beam the 12 matches live.

GTV is demanding 3,000 dollars per match for live telecast of the matches and that works out to 36,000 dollars for the whole tournament, whereas the total sponsorship package from soft drink giant, Coca Cola is 1.2 billion cedis, about 130 thousand dollars.

The state television's apparent flexing of muscles could be due to its wider outreach, as it is the only station, which is able to transmit information to the entire country.

But this, Mr Kodjo Fiano, Administrative Manager of GHALCA, said the association will be not perturbed and would consider others whose offers will be reasonable.

GHALCA has subsequently, struck a deal with TV3, an Accra-based television Station, whose mileage does not go beyond the southern sector of the country, for the right of exclusive coverage.

TV3, according to the agreement, will not demand a dime from GHALCA, but will make money from advertising products of companies, which will be associated with the prestigious tournament. A similar deal was reached last year with GTV, which beamed 10 matches live and two delayed, so GHALCA sees the sudden changed of mind as incomprehensible.

However, many see GTV's action as a pay back time for GHALCA, after the clubs vehemently kicked against its offer to have the exclusive right of coverage of what has become known as the Kinapharma Premier League.

Mr Fianoo said GHALCA is in talks with some FM stations in the capital for rights of coverage and threatened that once the deal is signed, any other station, which runs commentary without any prior arrangement with the organisers will be dealt with according to the law. He said plans are afoot to rope in First Atlantic Bank, Spacefon, South Africa Airways, some car rentals services and hospitality centres.

The GHALCA Top Four features the country's best four clubs at the end of each season and this year's event will be officially launched at the Banquet Hall, State House, on Thursday, December 18.