High Commissioner John Benjamin addressing the gathering at the EPL coverage launch
The British High Commission in Accra on August 13, 2014 held a celebratory reception to mark the launch of TV3 Network’s bid to cover the 2014/2015 English Premier League (EPL); after the private Ghanaian television network secured the right to telecast the competition to entertain its cherished viewers.
Speaking at the launch at the British High Commissioners residence, the Chief Executive Officer of TV3 Augustus Dickson noted that, it responded to the growing calls from its esteemed viewers to give them a bite of the EPL.
He said, “this is to show our numerous viewers that they remain central to our operations. Our viewers called and we are glad to say that we have answered positively and quickly”.
Dickson commended management for the outstanding work to obtain viewership right for such a prestigious football event.
British High Commissioner John Benjamin added that, the EPL is undoubtedly the World’s most watched league and thanked TV3 for going the extra mile to obtain the right.
H.E Jon Benjamin officially launching TV3’s EPL coverage; assisting him are football legends John Barnes (far left) and Nii Odartey Lamptey (far right)
“All of us here love the EPL. We in the UK are proud of the EPL. It is probably our biggest cultural export and it is part of our modern 21st Century image as a modern, diverse, multicultural and tolerant, globalised society. It is the most watched international league in the world, and since it started in its current form 22 years ago in 1992, nearly 1,500 players from 98 countries outside the UK have played in it”.
He noted that “We are proud, too, of the huge strides we have made in the fight against racism in football, with the EPL serving as an example to the world. I am glad to note that the EPL is utterly committed to stamping out all forms of racism and to taking strong action in the increasingly very few cases in which it occurs. I should also note that we continue to celebrate the legacy of Arthur Wharton, the first ever black professional footballer in England, over 100 years ago, who of course came from Jamestown here in Accra”.
Benjamin was therefore delighted to see Leicester star Jeffery Schlupp and Christian Atsu, who recently signed for Everton for the new EPL season.
Former Liverpool player John Barnes, who graced the occasion, congratulated TV3 for its social responsibility in giving back to society and the idea to telecast the competition due to Ghanaians passion of football in the country.
Source: GNA
