By Saddick Adams
Hearts of Oak have officially rejected an invitation to play in a Ghana League Clubs Association (GHALA) pre-season tournament, GHANAsoccernet.com can confirm.
The 20-time champions which finished sixth last season claim they are not prepared to join seven other clubs in the maiden of the tournament.
"We received an official invitation from the organisers seeking our participation but we have also written back to them stating our official position that we cannot partake," Hearts spokesperson Albert Commey told GBC radio, Sunyani.
"The fact is that we have registered very new players who are very young and mostly inexperienced.
"So we would want to have a very good pre-season training to get the boys in shape for the league so it will be very difficult to honour the invitation."
He added that: "We have also realised that since there are eight clubs, there would be more matches to play than the usual Top 4.
"Hearts of Oak is not in the best position to compete and I hope our fans understand our decision."
League champions Berekum Chelsea, FA Cup winners Nania FC, Aduana Stars, Medeama, AshantiGold, Kotoko and New Edubiase were expected to play in the novelty competition.
CHALCA had announced that the tourney will begin next month.