The Ghana Beach Soccer Association (GBSA) and leading financial institution Cal Bank have agreed a land mark two-year sponsorship deal worth 40,000 Ghana cedis per annum. The deal was brokered by the marketing team of the GBSA and will be a major boost ahead of the maiden Beach Soccer League scheduled to kick off in October 2011. 20 registered beach soccer clubs will play in what is expected to be a fiercely contested knockout tournament at the Ada beach resort next Sunday followed by a congress. According to GBSA spokesman Charles Osei Asibey, the league will be supported by the Ghana Football Association (GFA) in a firm partnership. The 10 winners of the league play-off will qualify automatically for the league proper which would be played on a weekly basis with full Fifa rules and regulations. A number of beach soccer referees in Ghana have already been put through their paces to prepare them for the grueling sand sports with more workshops expected. Cal Bank's marketing manager Kofi Siabi confirmed that the winning teams would also be entitled to a percentage of the sponsorship deal which includes an impressive cash prize of 5,000 Ghana cedis. In addition, Mr Siabi disclosed that a giant trophy will be donated by Cal Bank. There would be other attractive packages that are aimed at raising the level of competitiveness among the clubs, some of which are from the Central Region. The confirmation of Cal Bank's sponsorship, brings to two, the number of prime partners roped in to develop beach soccer in Ghana with Voltic Mineral water being the official thirst quencher for beach soccer since 2008. Beach soccer as an organised discipline with it's requisite international rules, was initiated in 2007 by a group of sports lovers and media practitioners led by former BBC and Joy FM sportscaster Yaw Ampofo-Ankrah. The very first competitive event was held at the La Pleasure beach in April 2007 when All Stars Beach Soccer team captained by Nii Odartey Lamptey beat Miracle Stars 7-6 on penalties at the La Pleasure Beach resort. Meanwhile it has also come to light that the late Alhaji Sly Tetteh was set to be announced as the League’s organizing chairman before his tragic death on 3 September 2011. The GBSA is expected to announce it's various committees in conjunction with the GFA signifying a united front contrary to speculations and rumors that the GFA would form a separate team of executives to take over the running of beach soccer in Ghana.