Premier League Board gets tough on match venues and Club offices

Accra, May 22, GNA - The Premier League Board (PLB) has announced to ugh decisions for Clubs whose match venues and offices does not meet standard

requirements with effective fro the 2010/2011 season.

Welbeck Abra-Appiah, Chairman of the PLB declared in his address at the fifth annual PLB Awards Gala Night held on Friday at the Banquet Hall, St ate House, said that clubs who fail to match with the standards will be treat ed with no 'kid gloves'. He said his outfit will be compelled to relocate Clubs whose match venues fall short of the requirements at their discretion.

"A more critical inspection of match venues and offices of Clubs tha t do not meet our standard requirements would lose their status as League centres and the affected Clubs relocated at the discretion of the PLB." Serious concerns have been raised about sub-standard nature of some of the Premier League match venues whilst the dormant and under-equipped condition of most club offices has affected transfer of information betwe en the PLB and the clubs and vice versa. The PLB, according to Mr Abra-Appiah will embark on a vigorous publi c education in respect of the rules and regulations of the game whilst plan s are advanced to set up a library to ensure effective record keeping. Ms Akua Sena Dansua, Minister of Youth and Sports commended the participating Clubs for their performance throughout the season, whilst emphasizing on the need for Club officials to educate their supporters to

eschew acts of violence and hooliganism at match venues. Kwesi Nyantakyi, President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) described the 2009/2010 Premier League as one of the most competitive in the history of Ghana football since the champion was only declared on the fin al day. He pledged support to improve officiating, which has become a "stink ing canker" in their quest to propel the game to dizzy heights. The climax of the event was the presentation of a brand new Tata pick-up vehicle to Aduana Stars for their historic feat by Minister of Yo uth and Sports, Ms Dansua. The debutants, who emerged the dominant force at the Awards Gala als o scooped prizes in the Best Coach category - Herbert Addo, Most Promising Player - Godfred Saka and Best Goalkeeper - Stephen Adams. Runners-up Obuasi Ashantigold took consolation in Chief Executive, Cudjoe Fianoo being adjudged 'Best Chief Executive Officer' and joint winners with Accra Hearts of Oak in the Best Functional Premier League Cl ub Office category.

The event, which officially wraps up the 2009/2010 season was attend ed by the cr=E8me de la cr=E8me of Ghana football including Administrators, Officials, sponsors, media, supporters amongst others.

Awards:

Club of the Year - Aduana Stars

Best Goalkeeper - Stephen Adams (Aduana Stars)

Most Promising Player - Godfred Saka (Aduana Stars)

Best Coach - Herbert Addo (Aduana Stars)

Best Defender - Lee Addy (Bechem Chelsea)

Footballer of the Year - Mahatma Otoo (Hearts of Oak)

Goal King - Bismarck Idan (Kessben FC) and Samuel Afum (Hearts of Oak)

Best Behaved Club Supporters - Liberty Professionals

Fair Play - Bechem Chelsea

Best Chief Executive Officer - Cudjoe Fianoo (Ashantigold)

Best Premier League Functional Office - Ashantigold and Hearts of Oak

Best Match Commissioner - Augustine Asante

Best Referee - Thomas Nunoo

Best Assistant Referee - David Laryea

Best PLB Cameraman - Stephen Asamoah