The Managing Director of Access Bank Ghana PLC Olumide Olatunji has commended the leadership of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) for investing the right levels of energy and commitment to the development of the game.
He was speaking at the GFA Secretariat during the official announcement of Access Bank as the headline sponsor of the Division One League.
Access Bank is injecting $250,000 as headline sponsor of the Division One League (DOL).
The money will be invested in the lower-tier competition to support the various clubs and ensure the growth of the league.
Per the deal, the Bank would also provide overdrafts and loan facilities for the clubs and vehicle finance loans to equip clubs in running the affairs of the teams.
Access Bank would be the official bank of the GFA, and all DOL clubs, players, and officials are expected to open an account with the bank.
Mr Olatunji said over the years the GFA has been very instrumental in nurturing players in the various Leagues.
“Growing up, we knew of talents such as Abedi ‘Pele’ Ayew, Tony Yeboah and recently, Michael Essien and Asamoah Gyan but I think the challenge of the GFA is to see to it and ensure that these names are many in the country and I think that explains the partnership with Access Bank.
‘’We hope to work closely with the GFA to ensure that talents are natured, discovered and given an enabling environment to thrive and to begin to compete internationally.
‘’We believe in the GFA’s call to BringbacktheLove of football in the country and this is evident in the class of sponsors you have been able to attract.
‘’As a Bank that operates in a country so passionate about the game, we want to ensure that our partnership will be the right ingredient to grow the League to the desired standard – which the Bank, the Association, the League, football lovers and the entire population will be proud of.
“I must say that supporting the growth of sport is in line with Access Bank’s Cooperate Social responsibility and clearly tells you that we value the development of sport as a Bank.
“I am excited to see the GFA’s commitments to the development of the game. We at Access Bank also appreciate this commitment and are pleased to be supporting in this regard” he said.
Mr. Olatunji stated that “this was a good time to promote football in Ghana as the 2022 FIFA World Cup approaches and champion the “Bring Back the Love” initiative by the GFA.”
He assured the various clubs in the DOL that Access Bank would do its best to make the partnership a successful one.
“I finally call on Ghanaians to rally behind the Black Stars and support them in the upcoming world cup tournament,” he added.
Mr. Kurt Okraku, the President of the GFA said, “When I assumed office, I said I was not going to do business with any bank that is not prepared to invest in football, and today, we have Access Bank.
“Our new partner has the vision to become the world’s most respected African bank, as such, it seeks to empower key sectors of our economy for example sports and football.”
Mr. Okraku thanked Access Bank for trusting and believing in the GFA to invest in the Division One League as they seek to develop football in Ghana.
Mr. Kenneth Thompson, the Vice-Chairman of the DOL Board thanked the GFA and Access Bank for coming together to develop the league.
The 2022 Division One League is set to kick off on September 30.
Also present at the media engagement are General Secretary Prosper Harrison Addo, Gideon Ofosu, Eugene Nobel and Tophic Kadri Seinu, Chief Executive Officers and representatives of the 48 Division One League Clubs.
