New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential aspirant Kwabena Agyepong has described the current state of local football as heart-wrenching, labelling it “painful to see.”

Agyapong, who was a broadcast journalist in the 1980s, noted that sports is an industry the country must plug into to reap its benefits.

However, he lamented that current clubs no longer have strong connections with their communities.

“We have to work out a collaboration to also promote our own game," Agyepong said to JoyNews.

"We have to market the game because it can bring big business and employment.

"It is surprising and painful virtually to see what is happening to our local league and the fact that the community is not that involved."

Agyapong, who owns a juvenile club, is hoping to change the narrative whenever he is given the opportunity.

"Our leaders are not as passionate about football as I am and if I ever have the opportunity, we will do whatever we can to revive the sport as a national game, as a national passion.”