Levelling the Playing Field: UG Corporate Football League Rolls Out New Measures for Fair Play and Growth
In a proactive move to strengthen fairness and improve the overall quality of competition, the University of Ghana Sports Directorate, in collaboration with Rite Sports, held a key stakeholder meeting for the UG Corporate Football League on April 16, 2025. The session, hosted at the UG Sports and Wellness Conference Room, brought together representatives from various corporate entities with a shared interest in refining the league's standards and operations.
Dr. Austin Luguterah with Mr. Yaw Sakyi at the UGCFL Stakeholder Meeting
The meeting was chaired by the Director of Sports and Wellness, Dr. Austin W. Luguterah, with Mr. Yaw Sakyi of Rite Sports serving as co-chair. Representatives from organizations such as GNPC, Forestry Commission among others, actively participated in discussions aimed at reviewing the first phase of the tournament and outlining strategies for a smoother, more equitable second phase.
A major concern highlighted during the session was the issue of some teams fielding unqualified players. Coach Mary, one of the key voices at the meeting, stressed how this undermines the spirit of fair competition. Echoing her sentiments, Dr. Luguterah issued a stern warning: any teams found guilty of violating player eligibility rules will face serious sanctions in upcoming editions of the league.
Head Coach of the UG Sports and Wellness Directorate, Mary Zambila Yahaya
To uphold integrity and discipline, the stakeholders reached a consensus on stricter enforcement of league regulations. Attendees agreed on the urgent need to curb rising indiscipline and proposed penalties for those who breach the rules. Key among the new measures is the requirement for all participating players to provide proper identification. Teams will also be restricted to selecting players from specific groups, such as National Service Personnel (NSS), to prevent abuse of the system.
Representatives from various companies
Administrative aspects such as player registration, ID card issuance, and insurance coverage with GLICO General Insurance were also discussed in detail. These processes aim to streamline participation and ensure the welfare of players.
Beyond football, attention is turning to the broader sporting calendar. Coach Bruce, Head of Athletics at the UG Sports and Wellness Directorate, presented the structure of the upcoming UG Corporate Athletics and Tennis tournaments. Scheduled to run alongside the second leg of the football league, the athletics competition will include events such as the 8x50m Relay, 400m Walk Hurdle, 100m Walk Hurdle, 60m Dash, 200m and 400m Heats, a 9x400m Multi Relay, 5x300m Run, and the 4x400m Relay. All events will adhere strictly to standard sporting regulations to ensure credibility and professionalism.
Head of Athletics, Emmanuel Bruce Okine
To build anticipation for the resumption of the football league, stakeholders announced a trophy tour beginning Monday, April 28. The tour will see the league trophy visit participating institutions, sparking excitement among teams and fans.
To ensure a smooth restart, teams have been instructed to submit player lists—complete with official stamps and signatures from institutional heads—along with valid IDs by the weekend following the Easter break.
The meeting ended with a strong reaffirmation of the league’s core values: fairness, discipline, and sportsmanship. With these renewed commitments and systems in place, stakeholders are optimistic about the future of the UG Corporate Football League. The league continues to offer a vibrant platform for corporate institutions to showcase their athletic spirit while promoting unity, wellness, and friendly competition.