Mr. Wilson Arthur, Chairman of the FA Cup Committee, Skyy FC President, Commissioner with NDPC, and CEO of Skyy Media Group, has urged stakeholders in the football sector to address football issues and stop anti-GAF actions.
He among other things asked Ghanaians to appreciate that there are a lot of underlying factors that affects performance of national teams.
Key among these things he noted are the availability of talents, motivation, preparation and quality of management and Technical team all matters.
His opinion post comes after some people have asked the GFA President and his associates to design following the Black Stars’ terrible performance.
According to him, the GFA President was elected and cannot be dismissed arbitrarily.
“GFA is an association of club football investors and reps from other key Stakeholders. Leadership is voted into office at congress by members. What happens at Party delegates voting for leaders is same as how Football folks choose their leaders. You cannot demand leaders to get lost just as you cannot ask same of leaders in Govt. Change is only possible via voting after full term is served.”
He further noted “I am not holding brief for anyone. Let’s face the truth, the writings were on the wall loud and clear. We compete with other nations who also want glory. We must admit that nations we use to whip have caught up with us and some have surpassed us. We cannot continue living on our past glory. It’s time for reality check.”
Meanwhile, he has highlighted the importance of investing in our Premier League and Division One League clubs.
He proposed investing in sports infrastructure to assist change our local teams, such as building stadiums with seating capacities of 2,000, 5,000, and 20,000. He cannot just be eliminated.
“We must intentionally invest in our Premier League Clubs and Division One League clubs immediately and add the base next day from following year. Create 2,000 seater, 5,000 and 10,000 seater stadia model drawings for clubs with corporate investment support to plant in our communities. We can now be talking about national teams with local player base that can bring back the love and passion and meet our expectations. Yes Ghana Football can be great and strong again.”
Read his opinion below
Let’s address our football problems and stop anti GFA moves.
GFA is an association of club football investors and reps from other key Stakeholders. Leadership is voted into office at congress by members. What happens at Party delegates voting for leaders is same as how Football folks choose their leaders. You cannot demand leaders to get lost just as you cannot ask same of leaders in Govt. Change is only possible via voting after full term is served.
The role of GFA is not only delivering excellent results of national teams they manage. Managing Regional Football competitions, Division One and Premier league as well as FA Cup and other competitions are the other very important businesses of the GFA.
Talking about role of managing national teams, we must appreciate that there are a lot of underlying factors that affects performance of national teams. Availability of talents, motivation, preparation and quality of management and Technical team all matters.
I am not holding brief for anyone. Let’s face the truth, the writings were on the wall loud and clear. We compete with other nations who also want glory. We must admit that nations we use to whip have caught up with us and some have surpassed us. We cannot continue living on our past glory. It’s time for reality check.
Our local clubs performance at CAF Competitions is a true measure of the state of our game. National teams are supposed to feature top grade club talents. So when our U17, 20, 23, CHAN and the Black Stars are performing miserably like we are experiencing, why are we blaming Technical heads and national team managers?
We need not look far.
The problem is obvious. It is the unsustainable business model Ghanaian Clubs are operating for some 30 years now – upgrading to Professional Clubs without the management and financial means. Clubs are compelled to operate like Academies – breeding Talents for quick sale next season?
We sell the outstanding emerging Stars who could attract fans and supporters in significant numbers to the parks on match days. Let me repeat again. I posit that selling top talents prematurely is the root cause of all football wahala in Ogyakrom. Sometimes we sell them to clubs we compete with in CAF competitions and lament when our clubs are beaten and embarrassed in these international competitions. Starless league attracts near empty parks, resulting in low gate income, Advertisers and Sponsors shy away and TV rights value dwindles. The effect of abysmal national teams and clubs performance at the international stage, is felt on value placed on our players by Scouts. This creates more pressure on Club managers to release more budding stars this time on loan – no cash business and the poverty cycle continues pushing our football in deeper trouble. In our situation, where can we find high grade players to form national teams? We look for Players from abroad. We virtually beg them to play for Ghana and complain they lack commitment and passion. We may hire Pep to coach the Black Stars – results will expose us.
We need to stop this tonaton club football business model and aim at keeping high grade soccer talents in our teams for 3/5 seasons so we can raise competitive club teams to compete at CAF competitions. With good management of media, the fans will return to the parks to enjoy our new local stars.
Advertisers and Sponsors will be attracted to open significant incomes for the clubs.
This can only happen with Sports Fund immediate establishment. National Lotteries Authority, Minerals and Petroleum Commissions must resource the Sports Fund.
Annual Presidential Corporate Dinner could be used to raise funds for the Sports Fund. A 5 member board with reputable characters and accomplishment can steer the Sports Fund.
Focus must be to impact the local clubs instantly to curb Talents / Stars drain. Salary Support to afford to pay $1,000/$2,000 to deserving top talents, brand new team bus every 2 years so old buses could be put on rental to open new income stream for clubs as well as transport Supporters to away match venues.
We must intentionally invest in our Premier League Clubs and Division One League clubs immediately and add the base next day from following year. Create 2,000 seater, 5,000 and 10,000 seater stadia model drawings for clubs with corporate investment support to plant in our communities. We can now be talking about national teams with local player base that can bring back the love and passion and meet our expectations. Yes Ghana Football can be great and strong again.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana