Chief executive officer of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) says his outfit is not prepared to sponsor the Ghana Premier League (GPL).
Mr Alex Mould addressing journalists in Accra on Tuesday brushed aside suggestions that the corporation could salvage the dwindling fortunes of the domestic league by injecting some amount of money to become its main sponsor.
The GNPC, which holds the state’s interest in oil, replaced Goldfields Ghana Limited (GGL) as headline sponsors of the Black Stars in 2012.
As a result, the corporation injects at least $3 million annually into the activities of the Black Stars and also pays the salary of the team’s coach.
Mr Mould submitted: “We are looking for a broader mileage as a corporation and the Black Stars being the biggest brand in Ghana we thought it prudent to associate ourselves with them…So if people want GNPC to sponsor the domestic league then we must as well consider what we stand to benefit as a company.
“…Besides the GNPC cannot sponsor everything because there are other companies. But we must also acknowledge that the people managing the local must also do their best to whip up interest to attract other corporate agencies to come onboard”.
Answering questions on why the GPNC is not helping the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to host international friendlies in Ghana, Mr Mould was emphatic that his outfit does not dedicate to officials of the GFA.
“We don’t interfere in the management of the GFA and that must be made clear. As sponsors we discuss budgets and proposals brought before us for consideration and not micromanage the association.
“Whether friendly matches are played in Ghana or not is not part of our agreement with the association,” the chief executive officer explained.
Mr Mould was however quick to add that the company would not hesitate to discuss hosting of friendly matches if proposals are submitted by the GFA.
