The President of the Ghana League Clubs Association (GHALCA), Kudjo Fianoo, has hit back at critics spreading the narrative that the customary off-season GHALCA top-four tournament has lost its significance in the last couple of seasons, labeling the records as untrue after the cancellation of the 2023 event.
This year’s GHALCA top-four competition was slated for August but has seen 2022/23 FA Cup champions Dreams FC and Premier League giants Asante Kotoko pull out due to unfavorable timing, the former citing their preparations for their maiden participation in the CAF Confederations Cup as the reason for boycotting the tournament.
With the tournament undergoing numerous transformations in the last couple of seasons due to the absence of the big clubs and sponsorship and financial reasons, it came as no surprise this year’s event was scrapped due to the non-appearance of giants Accra Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko, with numerous football fans stating the drop in value of the tournament as the upmost reason it doesn’t attract the eyeballs and sponsorship it deserves.
Speaking in an interview with Max FM, the President of GHALCA, Kudjoe Fianoo, debunked the circulating narrative that the Top Four has lost its significance recently, stating that the competition is still relevant despite the cancellation of this year’s version.
“I don’t agree with all those saying the top four have lost value; it’s not true. There are reasons why the tournament was canceled, and it’s not because the Kotoko have withdrawn from the competition. It’s like FIFA saying the World Cup won’t come off because Germany or Brazil failed to qualify, Franoo said.