Why government rejected GFA’s proposal for league return

The Director-General of the National Sports Authority, Professor Peter Twumasi has revealed the reason behind the government’s decision to reject a proposal by the GFA for the resumption of the 2019/2020 season.

According to the NSA boss, the GFA failed to convince the government that it could limit the spread of the virus should they be allowed to resume the season.

He explained that the government found the FA’s safety plans unconvincing and unattainable.

He revealed that the FA proposed a weekly testing of all players and also training in smaller groups but did not meet the expectation of the government.

“Kurt Okraku made a case that every week we will test them. I’m sure the President and his team studied the proposal before given clearance to some disciplines and leaving out some. They proposed that players will train in smaller groups but that didn’t pass so let’s pray that going forward, things will normalize for football to return”, he told Atinka FM.

In his latest address on Sunday, May 31, President Akufo-Addo announced an extension of the ban on all team sports. He, however, removed the restrictions on non-contact sports which allows for athletics, golf and other sports to be held.

The football season has been on break since March 15 and the FA was hopeful that the President was going to grant them an exemption but it turned out to be a disappointment.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Bechem United, Nana Kwasi Darling described the President’s move as disappointing and discriminatory.

“We're very disappointed in President Akufo-Addo for extending the ban on football activities. If churches can resume, why can't football clubs resume group training? Even ICGC & Action Chapel have more members than the entire fans of King Faisal”, the Bechem United CEO said.