With the GN Bank National Division One League Set to Start this weekend, Sports Journalist, Abdul Jalilu Ahmed, who covered the 2014/15 season of Ghana’s second tier league for SPORTS24 writes about what the clubs should do to attract fans at the various match centers.
He Writes:
The commencement of Ghana Premier League last weekend received monumental reception with some league centers recording unanticipated figures in attendance. On the background of what was witnessed, a strong case could be made for GN Bank Division One League if the hype and awareness is intensified.
Per the pronouncement of Division One League Board Chairman, Acheampong Owoahene, the Second Tier league will be launched on Thursday paving way for the beginning of a new calendar. The mind-boggling issue that resonates is; how far have clubs in the Division One gone with preparations and publicity?
Gold Stars, Asokwa Deportivo, Elmina Sharks, Vision FC, Samartex and other clubs are putting finishing touches ahead of the season but the area of publicity falls short and must be addressed aptly. No one can flee from the fact that the chunk of the responsibility lies on GFA but clubs are to reap should they opt to shoulder that hurdle. Confirmed reports from Ameyaw Park (Techiman) and Cape Coast indicate that clubs raked in substantial amount of money and it was largely due to publicizing the game.
Micky Charles for instance, ensured to trumpet his first Premier League home game anytime he is on air. Amidst the unfortunate bribery allegation slapped his face, he never shirked his responsibility of advertising his match. Dwarfs Coach, J.E. Sarpong played a critical role in ensuring the numbers thronged to cape coast stadium. This should be a wakeup call for Division One clubs competing in those zones.
The days ahead of us are enough for clubs to map up a strategy that will coax and magnetize spectators into their respective arenas. I strongly suggest to clubs such as Tano Bofoakwa, BA United, Berekum Arsenal to team up and dwell on bragging rights whenever they play. Elmina Sharks, Vypers, Eleven Wise and other clubs located along the coastal lines should develop a healthy rivalry and will pay for them in this season. Asokwa Deportivo, King Faisal should be vibrant on the airwaves to capitalize on the numbers in Ashanti Region and its environs.
With Heart of Lions and Olympics joining the fray, a rigorous publicity would yield results in terms of gate proceeds. Tema Youth, Vision FC and Amidaus Professionals should poise for bringing back the numbers to the Tema Stadium. Coaches and players have to avail themselves to the media at any time they are called to duty.
Clubs must add to their sticky note that, attracting numbers to stadium conforms to zero tolerance for hooliganism. As a victim of hooliganism, I can argue vociferously that such an uncouth behavior scares people to watch football. Based on the incident free recorded on Match Day One of the Premier League, I can easily envisage that the numbers will continue to soar on Day Two, and such could be attained in Division One if hooliganism remains a thing of the past.
Ghana premier league has re-lived unbudgeted acclamation and same is expected of Division one League. Having rehearsed adequately for the new campaign, if clubs are to focus on inculcating the habit of selling their respective matches, the sky will be the limit for all 48 division one league clubs. Stay tuned for previews, reviews and permutations of all clubs in the GN Bank Division One League.
Feature: GN Bank Division One League- The Way Forward
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