The Executive Chairman of McDan Group of Companies, Daniel McKorley alias McDan, has ruled out the possibility of sponsoring the Ghana Premier League, citing concerns over the growing influence of gambling on the sport.

The decision follows the abrupt end of Betpawa's headline sponsorship of the league midway through last season. Although the reasons for Betpawa's withdrawal have not been fully disclosed, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) is now seeking a new sponsor as the 2024/25 campaign approaches, with a scheduled start date of September 6, 2024.

 

The McDan Group, known for its substantial contributions to sports development in Ghana—including the construction of astroturfs and sponsorship of the Ghana Tennis Federation—was seen as a potential candidate to take up the mantle. However, Mr. McKorley has expressed serious reservations about the integrity of the league.

'I can sponsor the Ghana Premier League, but the gambling is too much, McKorley stated in an interview with Asempa FM. 

He alleged that match-fixing was collapsing local football.

McKorley emphasized the negative impact that match-fixing and gambling are having on the sport, saying, football is a beautiful game, but our players cannot play for years.

Concerns about the integrity of the league were heightened during the final round of last season, with several matches raising eyebrows due to the nature of goals conceded. Notably, Hearts of Oak's dramatic 3-2 comeback win over Bechem United, which ensured their survival in the top flight, attracted significant scrutiny.

The GFA has previously taken action against clubs involved in match-fixing. In 2022, Ashgold and Inter Allies were found guilty and subsequently demoted to Division Two.

As the search for a new sponsor continues, the future of the Ghana Premier League remains uncertain, with integrity and transparency at the forefront of concerns.