By Ernest Bako Wubonto
Beach Soccer Premier League clubs and Nick Petroleum, a licensed petroleum company in Ghana, have partnered to support the clubs to reinforce their commitment to coastal communities’ development and youth empowerment.
The ground-breaking initiative was launch at the Laboma Beach Resort in Accra with an initial support of GH₵100,000, part of a larger campaign to promote proper sanitation awareness along the coast.
The partnership, among others, aims to promote the growth of beach soccer in the country, encourage a clean beach front that will attract the youth to the game as well as ensure good hygiene to protect human lives.
The Beach Soccer Premier League clubs who received an initial participation support of GH₵10,000 from the Ghana Football Association (GFA) before the start of the league have a huge chunk of their investment going into such development activities, with each club picking up an additional GH₵5,000 as a token of support from Nick Petroleum.
The Ghana Beach Soccer Clubs Union (GBSCU) expressed excitement to receive support to carry out some of their activities in communities where the sport is patronised.
Acting Chief Executive Officer of Nick Petroleum, Miriam Danso, emphasised her belief in the transformative power of sports, indicating that by supporting Beach Soccer Premier League clubs, the brand is investing in the future of the youth, promoting healthy lifestyles and building stronger communities.
“We are delighted to come on board and support the growth, development and projection of beach soccer clubs in Ghana. This is just the beginning; so hopefully, there will be more to come in the future,” she said.
She also stated that Nick Petroleum, over the years, has positioned itself as a leading petroleum company with their comprehensive range of services and quality products across the country.
“All our stations provide well stocked mini marts and lubrication bays, ensuring vehicles receive top-quality fuel and oil with superior customer service while on-site,” she stressed.
The initiative was held concurrently with the maiden edition of the Ghana Beach Sports Festival and the 2024 World Clean Up Day.
Apart from beach soccer, the sports festival also featured rugby league, beach volleyball, beach boxing and beach aerobics alongside other activities to commemorate the ‘2024 World Clean Up Day’.
The partnership support is the initiative of BSG, the agency responsible for beach soccer CSR projects, community engagement activities, sanitation education, environmental awareness as well as sports tourism through coastal festivals in Ghana. BSG has been the supporting pillar of beach soccer clubs since the official formation of beach soccer in 2011.
The Chairman of the GBSCU, Gyamfi Kusi Awere, as well as the CEO of BSG, Yaw Ampofo Ankrah, commended Nick Petroleum for the support and urged corporate Ghana for more support in the development of the sports in the country.
Meanwhile, as part of the sanitation education and environmental awareness campaign, the club’s union will be active in coastal areas along the Central, Western, Greater Accra and Volta Regions with the involvement of players, officials and community youth.
