Promoting the GPL: Clubs must do more

Kotoko GM meets PLB Chairman, Ashford Tettey Oku

Chiko Lawi, the host of 'Play Back' – a Kenyan Premier League television show on Supersport, has this thing he says in a promo, which I like: "We’re a kind of people who love our own. Our own league, that's why we love to showcase it..." says this host. Reflecting on Chiko’s remark, ahead of this article and also observing trends since the 2015/16 Ghana Premier League (GPL) started, I have had reasons to believe that, we’re also a kind of people who love our own.

We love our league. It’s all we have and we must promote it. From match day one of the current season, I have seen conscious efforts by clubs and their Public Relations (PR) outfits making good attempts at not just increasing their social media presence but also providing news and information to the general public in a bid to woo them to their venues.

At Kotoko, we have had our own plans some of which would soon be made public. In the meantime, we have our website running. We have been providing up-to-date information on the team. Asantekotokosc.com is yet to be developed to the level we want to see it. However, within the context of the GPL and how functional club websites are, I believe we are ahead.

We have millions of hits in a month and there are plans to commercially utilize that. Kotoko's Facebook and Twitter accounts are for example very active. We give live updates during matches besides weekly interviews with the players on Twitter. I won't say we have arrived but certainly laudable steps are being taken to sell Kotoko while raising public interest in the GPL.

The good thing is that, other clubs are walking on the same path Kotoko have taken. They are making themselves known on various social media platforms, publicizing their matches and largely, telling their GPL story week in, week out. They are positioning their brands well to attract the best both within and outside their geographical location. 

For example, over the weekend, I saw Dreams FC’s well-branded bus and an artwork, circulating on Facebook and Twitter – directing the public to their home venue. Their message was succinct and it demonstrated the new ideas they have come into the game with. A few friends wondered why I will promote Dreams FC when what I was doing was only admiring what I saw as remarkably beautiful and progressive.

People should note this. I’m not a fanatic. Neither do I entertain blind loyalty nor uncontrolled passion. The fact that, I work for Kotoko doesn’t mean I can’t comment what I see as good. I have been seeing considerably good content from social media accounts of Inter Allies, Hearts, Berekum Chelsea and WAFA. My take is that, with time; deep thinking, adequate resources, planning and the resolve to uphold best standards, our clubs will be professionally run.

Some have shown the signs and that’s positive. Beyond these social media stuff, what clubs ought to do is to collaborate more with the media in publicising the matches. Publicity isn’t a one-day event. It’s process. If you plan and start well, you are likely to get desired result. Our clubs must note that, everything isn't about money. Often, it's about ideas, plans and the commitment see those fine ideas become reality with hard work.

Our clubs should thus be professional in their ways and sustain the little good efforts they are making to promote themselves and the GPL. We have always wanted the media to promote the GPL. We must however understand that, that media buzz can’t be done out of the vacuum. Clubs must reasonably open their doors to the media; furnish them with useful information on their training sessions, matches and the like.

Clubs, could as a matter of strategy, have media open days after training sessions or once in a while. The PR units of clubs must show the public they know their stuff. I repeat that, the media buzz, we want doesn’t emanate from nothingness. Clubs must take charge of their publicity and create a relationship between them and the media – not leaving out the public.

Winning matches is important but the off-the-pitch administrative work is also imperative. If fans will show good interest in the GPL, much will depend on their view of club management; the sort of information they receive from the media and how the GPL itself is managed!