By Ken Bediako
The more I hear people calling on the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to fix salaries for our footballers in the premier league, the more it confirms my assertion that our pro football is a big joke. We don’t seem to appreciate what makes professional football such a special business enterprise.
Right from the beginning in 1993 I drew the attention of Sports, Minister E.T. Mensah to the fact that it was not enough just to proclaim Ghana football had turned professional without any structures. He had only set up a seven-man Professional League Board with veteran Sports administrator Zac Bentum as chairman and Mr Edward Lamptey vice chairman cum treasurer.
Other members were Mr W. K. Agrah retired chief executive of the National Sports Authority, Mr Kofi Harlley Registrar General’s Department, Mr Joe Aggrey, President of SWAG, Mr Kojo Quarshie and Major Yaw Larson both of the League Clubs Association. This to my mind was not enough.
The snag is their mandate wss not even clearly defined. The GFA continued to run the league and not much was heard of the Board again. No matter what the kick off took place.
“The early bird catches the worm”, as the saying goes. No wonder Ashgold of Obuasi won the novelty professional league thrice on the trot from the 93-94 season to 1995-96. Credit goes to astute Goldfields Managing Director Mr Sam Jonah who laid a solid foundation for the club by seeking technical assistance from legendary English football icon Sir Bobby Charlton of Manchester United fame.
Our so-called professional league has been going on since 1993 with all its numerous shortcomings including the reported low salaries of players. A section of the Mass Media has been championing the call for the GFA to step in.
It is my considered opinion this call on the GFA is misplaced.
It is surprising that the GFA has not been able to explain to the football public it is not the responsibility of any Football Association on this planet to pay or determine salaries of professional footballers.
For the avoidance of doubt, all clubs worldwide are deemed to have owners and all players are contracted on personal terms. In plain language there are no salary scales fixed for goalkeepers for example, or midfielders or wingers. In short, all players are on personal contracts. The general rule by FIFA the world controlling body, is to ensure the very rich clubs don’t totally eclipse the less endowed ones. And that is the reason why there exists a financial fairplay law that checks overspending by those clubs that can easily break the bank if given a blank cheque.
Even though national associations, GFA included, are expected to protect the welfare of players, their main task is to make their leagues attractive to sponsors notably TV stations. It is common knowledge that Television is the biggest promoter of the game that’s why the GFA must work hard to seek proper TV rights that would benefit the clubs in the long run.
Financial analysts will tell you that TV companies insist on well programmed leagues that stick to schedules. I hope the GFA will be up to the task and give our league a facelift on TV both at home and abroad. Once upon a time, the Ghana football season could conveniently contain the Guinness Gala opening the season, the league had Reserve Division curtain raisers, FA Cup, SWAG Cup, Ghalca Cup etc. We should be able to revive our fast losing trait of trust and cooperation among all stakeholders to achieve success.
As we prepare for the next season, all efforts must go into providing good playing pitches. Some of our pitches hinder the players from giving of their best for fear of injury. This is most unfair.
May I take this opportunity to welcome back to the top division Swedru All Blacks.
The Swedru centre reminds me of my youthful days in the early 60s when as a junior sportswriter at the Daily Graphic I was regularly assigned to
cover matches involving model club Real Republikans. Agona Swedru was initially Republikans adopted home league centre till Sports Director Ohene Djan decreed that Republikans as a model club should ipso facto use Accra Stadium as home grounds.
Hearts of Oak and Great Olympics were made to play a determination match for the winner to join Republikans in Accra and the loser moving to Tema Stadium as home ground.
Hearts beat Olympics to remain in Accra.
Olympics then moved home ground to Tema and they surprisingly played so brilliantly to earn the nickname “Wonder Club”. It’s an interesting world indeed.
Cheers everybody and keep loving sports.
