By Ameenu Shardow
Asante Kotoko may possibly withdraw from the novelty GHALCA pre-season tournament involving eight teams, GHANAsoccernet.com understands.
This comes just a day after fellow Premier League giants Hearts Of Oak confirmed their withdrawal from the tournament which hitherto was meant for teams that finished in the first four of the previous Premier League campaign.
However, innovation and other dimensions added with the FA Cup feat by Division One club Nania FC has called for the extension of the tournament to eight teams and this seems not to have gone down well with some of the clubs especially the two most supported clubs in Ghana.
"All we know is that by virtue of our position on last season's league standings (3rd), we have qualified to play in the Top 4 Tournament and that is what we are committed to," Kotoko Executive chairman Dr. KK Sarpong told Hot FM.
"This talk of Top 4, Top 6 and now Top 8 competition creates the impression that organizers are a bit confused.
"We cannot do things haphazardly because all we know throughout the off-season and for which we have made preparations for is to play in the Top 4 tournament and not any other competition."
However a member of the Organizing Committee Jefferey Asare disagrees completely insisting Kotoko have been in the know throughout the evolution.
"Each and every point we came out with something, we communicated with the clubs," he said.
"Kotoko had representation in our meetings and never raised such concerns so I am quiet surprised by the reaction of Dr. Sarpong."
Contrary to calls for this year's tournament to be cancelled due to the simmering fall-outs, Asare insists it will go ahead as planned.
"The Committee has considered all the options and we will push ahead with the competition.
"We might have some genuine challenges but its the same even with the Fifa World Cup but we are determined to face these challenges head-on," he added.
So far, League champions Berekum Chelsea, FA Cup winners Nania FC, AshGold, Medeama, Aduana Stars and New Edubiase have confirmed their participation.
The tournament's launch is slated for this weekend where the name and title sponsors of the maiden competition is expected to be revealed.