The GNPC Foundation has delivered to the Karela Football Club, a refurbished pitch to enhance their performance. The old football pitch located at Enyinase in the Ellembele District, has through the sponsorship of GNPC, been transformed into an ultramodern artificial turf with floodlights and other facilities.
The reconstructed facility was executed by Waste 360 Limited with funding of about USD300,000 from the GNPC, via its corporate social investment arm; GNPC Foundation.
Chief Executive Officer for the GNPC, Dr. Kofi Koduah Sarpong at a handing over ceremony on Sunday 22 November, 2020 indicated that the investment made in respect of the renovated pitch goes beyond their corporate social investment to include elements of corporate branding and advertisement. He noted that management conceptualises the investment made to be a strategic one that presents GNPC an opportunity to develop local talents that could help transform football in Ghana.
“It’s not a corporate social responsibility issue. It’s been extended because GNPC believes that it’s going to get advertising mileage by sponsoring this club.”
He noted that GNPC is being collaborated by Ghana Gas Company Limited to provide a 3 year sponsorship package to Karela FC.
“I’ve also in consultation with the management of the club decided that it is important that we really help this club to survive and help many potential footballers from this area. Accordingly, we are going to work together with Ghana Gas to ensure that the youth academy of the club is provided facilities. It is our vision that the young talents in this area can be harnessed for the benefit not only to their families but to the country,” he emphasized.
The Executive Director for GNPC Foundation, Dr. Dominic Eduah reiterated that the organisation considers the investment made to be a powerful tool in empowering the youth in the Nzema areas, and communities in the oil and gas enclave, economically.
He disclosed that the organisation has since its establishment started the construction of 30 AstroTurfs across the country, with a number of them completed.
“We strongly believe that sports infrastructure nis part of economic empowerment. We giving economic gain to these players and as part of that we came up with this building of AstroTurfs.
Since 2018, we happened to have started 30 of these across the country.”
Senior Minister, Osafo Marfo entreated the football club to be disciplined and dedicated to their professional development. He believes that the future could be promising for the club if they keep to the expectations of the sponsors and patrons of the club.
“I will therefore appeal to them that with this kind of sponsorship what they need is discipline and a conscious training as a team. From all indications Karela FC has a future, and we shall all encourage you to become one of the most powerful football clubs in Ghana.”
The District Chief Executive for the area, Kwasi Bonzo emphasized on the need for the club and the local Assembly to keep religiously to a maintenance schedule so they can sustain the facility for years.
“Our biggest take is to ensure that the pitch is properly maintained so that it will.last as long as the club exist, and as long as football lasts in this district. As a board member of the club, we going to ensure that the facility is maintained such that GNPC will be proud to added more.”
