The Director-General of the National Sports Authority (NSA), Yaw Ampofo Ankrah, has emphasized that Ghana can learn valuable lessons from the English Premier League (EPL) to enhance the appeal of its domestic league.
Speaking at a brief ceremony where he represented the Minister of Youth and Sports, Ankrah acknowledged the immense popularity of the EPL and stressed the need for Ghana to tap into its success strategies.
“The numbers don’t lie. The EPL is the best, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t dream of reaching that level. We need to learn, adapt, and work towards closing the gap. Can we replicate the excitement, the passion, and the branding of the EPL in Ghana? That’s a challenge we must take seriously,” he stated.
His comments came as Guinness, the official beverage sponsor of the EPL, brought the prestigious Premier League trophy to Ghana for a historic tour. This marks the first time the trophy has landed in Africa, arriving on March 14 under tight security and set to remain in town until March 16.
Football lovers will have the chance to see the trophy up close at Pitstop in Osu, where they can take selfies and celebrate this rare moment.
Former Black Stars captain John Mensah became emotional as he reminisced about his time in the Premier League. The defender, who played for Sunderland, revealed that he fought hard to lift the coveted trophy but never had the opportunity.
“It’s a bittersweet moment for me. I gave my all to try and win this trophy with sunderland, but it wasn’t meant to be,” – he said.
Similarly, John Paintsil, another Ghanaian who graced the EPL, expressed his excitement about finally getting close to the trophy.
“Even when I played in England, I never got close to it. Today, I finally have the chance, and I’m happy it’s in Ghana,” he said with a smile.
Marketing Manager for Guinness Ghana Breweries, Sabina Manu, encouraged fans to take part in the experience, highlighting a major event scheduled for Sunday.
“One of the most exciting moments will be on Sunday when we watch the Arsenal vs. Chelsea match together. Rep your jerseys, come in numbers, and let’s have fun. At Guinness, we don’t discriminate. No matter where your team is on the table, come and take selfies with the trophy,” she urged.
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Meanwhile, Uche Nwalie, Global Marketing Manager for Guinness Africa, explained why Ghana was chosen for the historic trophy tour.
“Ghanaians live and breathe football. We knew they deserved to have a feel of what their favorite players have been competing for,” – he stated.
The Premier League trophy’s visit has reignited discussions on how Ghana’s football ecosystem can evolve.
As the NSA Director pointed out, Ghana must study the EPL’s marketing strategies, fan engagement, and organizational structures to improve its own league.
“If it takes five years, 10 years, or more, we must work towards making our league attractive. The passion Ghanaians show for Manchester United, Chelsea, and Liverpool should also be channeled into Kotoko, Hearts, Olympics, and other local clubs,” Ampofo Ankrah concluded.
As the EPL trophy continues its Ghana tour, football fans have a unique opportunity to get closer to a prize that represents the pinnacle of club football.
Ghana|Atinkaonline.com|Ebenezer Madugu