J.Y. Appiah wants Glo8 scrapped

The former head of the Ghana League Clubs Association Joseph Yaw Appiah has called for the dissolution of the Glo8 preseason tournament and the return of the Top 4.

Before the start of this premier league season, the association opted for an expanded version of the annual tournament. Originally designed for the top four clubs in a given season, the preseason affair became the Glo G8 due to what was hoped would be increase financial rewards.

“The competition is not meeting its objectives and we have to go back to the old format,” he told SuperSport.com.

Ghalca, the welfare body for all league clubs, instituted the Top 4 as its flagship event to prepare the best clubs in a season for impending continental assignments. However, it increasingly lost some luster since the synchronization of the Ghana Premier League season with that of Europe.

Appiah also argued that the projected financial estimates were woefully misjudged. “The amounts needed to finance the Glo 8 became obviously too much and we could see that in how the sponsors struggled to meet them. The Top 4 was more economically viable. In all the years we had the Top 4 things the logistical constraints were also fewer.”

The Glo 8 has come under scrutiny because the lead sponsor, Globacom, had enormous financial difficulty in settling the appearance fees and other emoluments agreed prior to kickoff of the series.

"DISASTROUS ORGANIZATION" All eight teams have not been paid for their participation. None of the companies and individuals who provided logistics, catering and auxiliary services have also been settled.

Kotoko and Hearts will feel vindicated for pulling out of the event due to dissatisfaction with arrangements. Representatives of sides like Ebusua Dwarfs who were roped in as last resorts have described the tournament as a “disastrous organization”.

The eight clubs were supposed to be contesting for a trophy with the winners earning a cumulative 52, 500 Ghana cedis. Berekum Chelsea won the tournament which also had participation from AshGold, Medeama, Aduana Stars and Liberty Professionals.

The rest were New Edubiase, Heart of Lions and Dwarfs, who replaced FA Cup winners FC Nania.