Nick Petroleum partnership with Beach Soccer Ghana signals the beginning of a new corporate – sports development alliance
As part of their corporate social responsibilities, Nick Petroleum has adopted beach soccer clubs in Ghana to support teams in their various communities engagement and development drive through sports sanitation and education.
Beach soccer is the most popular sport across many coastal enclaves in Ghana. For this reason, clubs have been at the forefront of the sanitation education and environmental awareness campaign with their athletes playing a central role through the beach soccer clubs union of Ghana.
The sponsorship announcement was made at the 2024 “World Clean Up Day”, which was marked on September 21st.
Among the participating corporate partners at the event, was Misyl Energy which is a sister company of Nick Petroleum.
The acting CEO of Misyl Energy, Ms Miriam Danso Agyei, assured players, coaches and managers of beach soccer clubs of her company’s commitment to fulfil their obligations by supporting activities of beach soccer clubs in Ghana.
“What we have seen here today is positive and highly impressive. It goes to confirm the huge potential of beach sports especially beach soccer in Ghana”.
Ms Danso Agyei also touched on the vital role that sanitation education and environmental protection awareness will play as a foundation for sustainable sports activities along the coastline of Ghana.
“It is exciting to watch so many young, energetic and talented athletes fulfill their passion through beach soccer. I am equally impressed with their commitment to playing their roles as ambassadors for sanitation education and environmental protection awareness”.
Brief Beach Soccer Roots
Over a decade ago,the introduction of the tenacious sport to Ghana was sealed with a gala played by just four teams.
The steady growth has now birthed over 30 teams which has also led to the creation of dedicated supporters clubs in coastal areas stretching from the central, western, greater Accra and Volta region.
Within this period, a team from the Eastern region (Okere Rangers) has also qualified to play in the ongoing Ghana Beach Soccer Premier League.
Before their official affiliation with the Ghana Football Association (GFA) in 2021, the clubs Union could boast of over 30 active teams from which a national beach soccer side was established in 2011.
The Black Sharks, as they are fondly called, have since participated in five major international tournaments including the Al Jadida Invitational in Morocco, Copa Lagos in Nigeria, Durban Classic in South Africa as well as two Afcon tournaments in Seychelles and Nigeria.
One of the key factors in the relative success of the national team is that all the players are selected from local beach soccer teams.
The CEO of Beach Soccer Ghana Yaw Ampofo Ankrah addressed this all important factor.
“Over the years, the struggles and survival instincts of the teams have translated into a deep bond with the involvement of players, coaches, supporters and officials from dozens of communities”.
Ampofo Ankrah described the support from Nick Energy as timely and uplifting
“We are grateful and also humbled by the keen interest shown by Nick Petroleum. For both parties, this is not just about sponsorship. This is the beginning of a long term partnership which will surely boost the development of the sport as well as forge a deeper interest in beach soccer among youth and traditional leaders alike.”
