Fellow Ghanaians, friends, family members and largely to my Muslim brothers and sisters here. I greet u all – As Salam Alaikum.
My attention has been drawn to a post by Special Assistant to Kotoko CEO who doubles as and Comms Head of the club David Obeng Nyarko claiming I accused their club when they signed a deal with betting company betika.
In his post, David’s claim is simple that I am playing double standards following the GFA’s announcement of betPawa as a sponsor this afternoon.
Indeed, David will be right if accused Asante Kotoko following their deal and on the other hand I say nothing when the FA grabs a deal with another betting company. But that’s false.
Truth is, David is blatantly telling lies. I have never written anywhere against Asante Kotoko and betika deal. N e v e r!!!
Facebook does not lie. He said I posted my position on the Kotoko-betika deal on facebook. If indeed he’s being truthful, I challenge him to take screen shots of that and let the whole world know, so he can juxtapose his claims against me.
If indeed David is a man worth his salt, let him take screen shots of what I posted on Kotoko-betika and let the whole world see.
For once, David must do this to shame me and let the world know I am inconsistent with my position on betting.
Now to the FA’s announcement today!
I was at the FA’s event where the announcement of their sponsorship with betPawa was made. And per the demands of my profession as a journalist, I am under journalism principles to report what happened there, which I did. It must be noted that not all my followers are Muslims. So the news must reach them too.
After the event, this is what I posted on social media:
“Highlights of the GFA’s sponsorship package with betPawa
◇ Deal is for 3 years
◇ Amount inbolved is $6m for the 3yr period
◇ A betPawa park/pitch to be constructed at Prampram (Construction starts in October)
◇ Locker room bonuses (Winning bonuses to be paid for clubs)”
The above are facts from the FA’s announcement and NOT my opinion. And as a journalist, I posted this as it is. It is not my OPINION. The above is what I posted. Caput!
Sadly, out of ignorance, David tags my post as my opinion. Sorry bro, that’s not my opinion it’s what the FA announced.
So kindly take note of this!
Now: My position on betting as a Muslim
As a Muslim, I have written extensively against betting and I am not changing from that position. Betting is haram; Islam does not support betting and I, SHEIKH TOPHIC SIENU DO NOT SUPPORT BETTING.
But please take note: the FA is not mine. I am not even a ExCo member. I am only a member of the DOL and I have personal ties with the president both professionally and intimately. He is my BROTHER. So whether the FA accepts betting or not is their decision and does not reflect mine. I only carry news.
Since 2015, I have written articles here to show my position against betting and that is my position. I don’t support betting because it is one of the greatest dislikes of my religion. I am not different from my religion. Islam is me and my culture and I eat, drink, sleep and breath Islam. So betting can never be part of me.
For those who have followed me for long, they will attest to the fact that I’ve been writing strongly against betting and how they are creeping into our Zongo Communities and how we can fight it as a people. (I’ll share screen shots here to all to see).
If I were to allow betting to just pass through my doors, I would have been one of the filthy rich young guys in this country. I have had juicy, tempting and incredible offers from betting companies but I don’t hesitate to say NO!
In 2018 in Uganda, a betting company approached me to be their country director in Ghana so they set up here. I declined instantaneously. Ibrahim Sannie Diara is my witness and Benjamin Willie Graham of GTV is aware of this.
I have had betting companies that have sent me messages on twitter to allow them use my handle to project their betting activities and be paid, I declined. (I’ll show screen shots).
So my dear Muslim family, ignore everyone who claims I am now supporting betting. They are blatant liars and disappointed officials running to catch attention with my name.
Being a Muslim, there is always conflict between my religion and the profession. But I have always ensured that I don’t do what my religion does not support because I know the demands of my religion and that of my profession.
Posting what the FA announced isn’t an ENDORSEMENT of betting.