The National Sports Authority (NSA), in a drastic bow to public pressure, has withdrawn the stadium user fees/charges for the Accra Sports Stadium within 24 hours after the initial announcement.
The NSA, custodians of the state owned stadia in the country, issued an official statement on Tuesday to announce an outrageous charges for the usage of the Accra Sports stadium by both the premier and lower division clubs in the upcoming season.
In the said statement, signed by the National Director of the NSA, Professor Peter Twumasi, the body announced that “A Home team will be made to pay Twenty Thousand Ghana Cedis (GH₵20,000) per match under the category B matches. A category C Home team will be made to pay Fifteen Thousand Ghana Cedis (GH₵15,000)”.
According to the NSA statement, “Matches between Hearts and Kotoko and the National Teams are grouped under “Category A”. Matches between Hearts or Kotoko versus other Premier League clubs are grouped under ‘Category B’ and matches between other clubs excluding Hearts and Kotoko are grouped under “Category C”.
The announcement of these huge figures was met with stern criticisms from the affected clubs, as well as the GFA. President of the GFA, Kurt E. S Okraku took to social media to express his displeasure over the move, describing the figures as “unfortunate”, “exorbitant and unacceptable”.
Following the total rejection by the clubs and the FA, backed by an intervention from the Sports Ministry, the NSA has swiftly issued a fresh statement to announce withdrawal of the charges.
“Pursuant to our letter dated 19th October, 2020 with reference number NSA/HQ.5/SF13 on the above subject, management would like to inform you that the said charges of the usage of the Accra Sports Stadium has been withdrawn following consultation with the Sector Minister and also taking into consideration some concerns raised by the affected club”, the statement announced.
The Accra sports stadium will host as many as 5 premier league clubs in the upcoming (2020/21) football season, namely, Accra Hearts of Oak, Asante Kotoko, Inter Allies, Great Olympics and Legon Cities.