<<Print>>

Ghana Premier League champions Asante Kotoko have turned down an invitation to participate in an invitational tournament, the Rovers Cup, to be held in India from August 28 to September 12. According to the public and supporters relations manager of the club, Listowell Yesu Bukarson, the Porcupine Warriors cannot honour the invitation due to their tight off-season schedule. �We understand that the Rovers Cup is the second oldest tournament in India,� Bukarson was quoted by the official newspaper of the club, Kotoko Express. �It was first held in 1891. The last time the competition came on was in the 2000-2001 season. It is therefore making a return this season. �Management decided on the club�s non-participation after consultations with International Relations Consultant, Kwame Baah-Nuakoh,� he pointed out. Bukarson added: �We decided that the competition in India will not fit into the club�s pre-season program and have instructed our International Relations Consultant to write to the organisers communicating our happiness with the invitation and recognition but we cannot make it to the tournament because of our pre-season program.� The Rovers Cup is being organised by the Western India Football Association (WIFA), the football governing body in the state of Maharashtra, in collaboration with Sporting Ace PVT Limited.