The Club Licensing Board of the Ghana Football Association has indicated that pitches will not be compromised as venue inspections for the 2023/24 season begin next month.
Clubs know the minimal standards and recommendations for each compliance criterion used to grant a licence.
However, most teams have consistently failed to achieve acceptable licensing standards for their separate playing grounds before football seasons.
Season after season, the GFA comes under fire for failing to ensure strict adherence to licensing requirements by approving poor quality pitches.
The GFA scheduled the inspection of submitted venues by clubs for August 14.
Julius Ben Emunah, a member of the Club Licensing Department, explained to TV3 what the inspection team would look for.
“Pitch quality is zero tolerance for us; it has to be quality, artificial or natural, it must be quality, inner perimeter fencing and tunnel connecting to a befitting dressing room that can accommodate more than 30 people with the necessary furnishings.
“Of course, the venue should also have washroom and a dedicated place for referees” he indicated.
The Ghana Premier League (GPL), Division One League (DOL), and Women’s Premier League (WPL) are all included in these inspections, along with other national competitions. If standard are not met, clubs will not be granted a licence and forced to adopt an approved venue.
The 2023/24 Football season kicks off with the Ghana Premier League in mid-September.