Defending Ghana Premier League champions Asante Kotoko have officially withdrawn from the 2022 Ghana League Clubs Association (GHALCA) Top Six tournament.

The club announced on social media on Thursday afternoon stating "sporting reasons" as to why they won't be honouring the invite.

"We have this afternoon written officially to GHALCA, informing the welfare body of our decision not to partake in this year’s Ghalca Top Six tournament. Our decision was purely based on sporting reasons," a post by Kotoko read.

Earlier this month, the vice chairman for GHALCA John Ansah explained why the tournament had been changed from the customary top four to top six."

“We apologize to fans of Kotoko. We are not looking down on them but we need to keep Ghanaian reps for Africa very active before their African campaign begins.”

GHALCA announced that the pre-season Top Six tournament would kick off from August 14-31 at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium.

The initial teams set to participate in the tournament were Asante Kotoko, Medeama, Bechem United, Karela United, Great Olympics, and Hearts of Oak.

It is unknown whether the reported resignation of Prosper Narteh Ogum contributed to the reasons why the Porcupine Warriors will not take part in this year's GHALCA top six tournament.