The Committee chairperson of Ghana Women’s Premier League Hillary Boateng has expressed her sadness at the effect of the coronavirus outbreak on the women’s game in the country, revealing that one of the league’s promising stars is pregnant at the moment.
She said that the unnamed player got pregnant during the national lockdown restrictions in Ghana.
In March, football activities were suspended following a nationwide ban on all public gatherings as part of the measures to stop the spread of the coronavirus disease.
The women’s Premier League and FA Cup competitions are part of the suspended leagues.
“I felt so sad when I was told one of my girls has been impregnated during the lockdown period, a player very good and promising, and it’s so worrying,” Boateng said in a radio interview.
“I will plead with my female footballers not to allow themselves to be used and dumped.”
Ghanaian football stakeholders are still deliberating about the resumption of football in the country. Some factions want the 2019-2020 season cancelled, while another faction wants football to resume even if it comes with some rules and restrictions.
“Even if we decide to play behind closed doors, how can the women’s league committee raise money for the clubs, especially when players are not allowed to even train on their own?” Boateng asked.
Boateng said cancelling the league will not be an easy decision for the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to make.
“A lot of things should be taken into consideration. Cancellation of the league isn’t an easy decision to make in terms of revenue and letting go of the excitement in the league until next season which will be sometime in September,” Boateng said.
“The women’s league had a very good first round, it was very exciting, looking at the Southern and Northern sectors. It is even difficult to find clubs who will be relegated and who will not. It will be a huge disappointment.
“Therefore, if we are asked to hold on the hype and momentum built until next season, it will mean resuming all [efforts] over again.
“Clubs who have worked hard and are first on their league tables have to start all over again. There will be a lot of disappointing effects on everybody.
“Financially, with the league going on, the branding and awareness were there, social media was hyped very well.
“The FA bought cameras for streaming live matches. There were so many good things that were happening in the women’s league [and] all of a sudden this [Covid-19] situation emerged.
“Therefore, cancelling it totally won’t be easy but if it’s the best decision for all of us, we should consider it and prepare for next season.”
The GFA says it will wait till the end of June before making any decision on the different leagues.