The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has announced a one-year sponsorship deal with producers of AQUABlue Natural Mineral Water, AKOA Beverages.
This one-year partnership deal was announced by the beverage company and the football association at a brief ceremony at the headquarters of the GFA on November 9th, 2023.
This agreement, which could be renewed, states that AKOA Beverages, a fully Ghanaian-owned business, will manage all of the GFA’s water needs.
This involves offering hydration to the association’s employees at the 12 national football teams, including the prestigious Black Stars, the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence in Prampram, and the association’s headquarters in Accra.
Present at the Ceremony were the GFA’s President, Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku, Executive Council Member, Eugene Nobel and General Secretary, Prosper Harrison Addo whiles AKOA Beverages Limited was also represented by the Chief Finance Officer, Derek Naawu, the founder, Akomea Kweku Ohemeng Agyei and the brands manager, Heston Tetteh.
Speaking at the partnership event in Accra, Shadrack Akoenyenu, CEO of Akoa Beverages, indicated that the collaboration with the FA demonstrates their commitment to promoting unity in Ghana through the means of football.
“We believe the partnership is not just about providing water but also about fostering a sense of togetherness and unity through the beautiful game of football,” he remarked.
“Our partnership with the Ghana Football Association is a testament and dedication to promoting unity in the spirit of sponsorship. Part of our principles include putting our customers first in everything that we do. It is also about promoting unity and sense of sportsmanship among Ghanaians and as an indigenous company, I entreat all to come together to celebrate the refreshing teste of AQUABlue Mineral Water.” he added
Also speaking at the event, the GFA president expressed excitement over the agreement, putting great emphasis on its importance to the football field in Ghana.
He noted that the partnership would go a long way to cut down the cost in providing water for the various national teams.
“I am very happy to be starting this journey with a company that is committed towards providing life to all of us. I am very excited about this partnership because many do not know the quantum of money the FA spends on the purchase of water for all our staff and our 12 national teams. Our footballers, both boys and girls, need water, and if they do not have enough water, they can’t give us the highest performances we demand of them; so, this is very important.”
The Ghanaian football administrator was hopeful that within the contract’s period, the company would consider extending the length of the deal.
He found it commendable for the GFA to partner a company that was willing to invest in the development of football in Ghana.
“Providing water for our footballers is part of the strategy of fixing the fundamentals of our football,” he noted.
Mr. Okraku disclosed that the natural mineral water company had already provided assistance to the GFA in the KGL U-17 competition as well as in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCONS) qualifier against the Central African Republic in Kumasi.
He concluded by expressing gratitude to the management of AKOA Beverages for their support to the GFA in its quest to develop football in Ghana.
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Story by: Asack Pius | univers.ug.edu.gh
