GFA clears air on Glo deal
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has cleared the air on media allegations centered on the involvement of an agency in the Globacom sponsorship deal.
The GFA has a five-year agreement with the telecommunication outfit for the sponsorship of the Premier League, but the involvement of Mid-Sea Company Limited as an agent in the deal has gained an unpopular ground in the media landscape.
Kwesi Nyantakyi, GFA President at a press briefing on Friday confirmed the role of Mid-Sea company in landing the sponsorship as an agency that acted on behalf of the GFA in their dealings with Globacom.
“The issue of agency is not new in football as we have been dealing with agents in the past for sponsorship. Sourcing for sponsorship is a serious business and you need expertise in that field to execute it.”
Nyantakyi explained that the emergence of the company was as a result of the collapse of the Onetouch sponsorship deal of the Premier League.
“Mid-Sea came on board following the collapse of the Onetouch Sponsorship deal. The GFA gave them the mandate to act on our behalf and deal with the FA.”
Nyantakyi added that Mid-Sea was introduced to the GFA by Rene Williams, Chief Executive of Afrisat, brokers of the television coverage of the Premier League by the now defunct Gateway Broadcast Services (GBS) few years ago.
“Due to Afrisat’s involvement with GBS, Rene (Williams) brought on board Mid-Sea and he represented them in their dealings.
“Mid-Sea was a vehicle for payment and they were entitled to 10 percent of the sponsorship package.”
This therefore means that the agency will be entitled to 300,000 US Dollars for every season during the five years of Glo’s association with the Premier League.
On the failure of Globacom to fulfill the payment schedule, he said that it does not constitute a breach of contract, since the GFA has confidence in the partnership.
“Judging by the performance of Globacom so far, we are satisfied with the deal. The current problems are due to internal problems within Globacom.”
Meanwhile, the 2010/2011 Glo Premier League will commence on Sunday, September 5, at the various approved centres.
Source: GNA