Neil Armstrong-Mortagbe
FORMER MANAGING Director of Accra Hearts of Oak, Neil Armstrong-Mortagbe, has advised women football clubs in Ghana to fulfil their sides of sponsorship agreements, stressing that this will effectively strengthen the marketability of the clubs, and help improve the quality of the Ghana Women’s Premier League (GWPL).
Mr. Armstrong-Mortagbe was speaking to about 50 club officials at the third in a series of mentorship workshops, organised by Betway, the official development partner of the GWPL.
He argued that the failure on the part of clubs to live up to their obligations under sponsorship agreements has discouraged some potential sponsors from supporting clubs not just in the GWPL but in other football leagues in the country.
“Many times when people talk about sponsorships, they think it’s about a gift, but there is no company that is coming to give you a gift,” Mr. Armstrong-Mortagbe said. “They come in because they expect a benefit – they expect something in return.”
He added: “When in need of the sponsorship, we are quick to go, write a proposal, talk nice, show sponsors the benefits and promises, including adverts…and then when the sponsorship is given, the clubs go to sleep. There have been so many cases on various occasions where some sponsors have to engage agencies to make sure that the benefits that were promised in the sponsorship proposal are delivered.”
On this backdrop, Mr. Armstrong-Mortagbe said that the attractiveness of the GWPL in the future will largely depend on the commitment the clubs will show towards the fulfilment of their obligations.
General Manager in charge of digital platforms and news at Media General, Michael Oti-Adjei, speaking on the use of social media for branding and engagement, pointed out that clubs need to employ professionals to manage their social media platforms.
He submitted that a well-crafted social media presence is very necessary in these modern times for sustaining the image and popularity of football clubs, making them attracting to potential sponsors and enhancing engagement with fans.
From The Sports Desk