By Ken Bediako
The recent practice of the President’s Cup matches being turned gate free should be a signal that our football ecosystem is sinking at an alarming rate. If arguably the two best teams in the country, Asante Kotoko and Hearts of Oak no longer attract fans to pay and watch them in action, then we have a huge problem on our hands.
The talk in town is that the Football Association wants to avoid a situation where the President will come to the stadium to see a sparse crowd in such a prestigious competition like the annual President’s Cup. Of course this would definitely expose the FA’s lack of organisational ability. This is what the organisers want to hide from the Head of State. Not too long ago the stadium would be filled to capacity with its accompanying mad rush for tickets to buy. So what’s the problem now? This should tell the current handlers of our football that they are not doing something right. Their lack of organisational ability is extremely glaring. In my view, the problem starts with the way the clubs are being run. And don’t be surprised because it’s the same GFA’s self styled bank rollers who run the clubs. We all agree that football is now business but it must be clear to all who care that it’s a different kind of business. You must have a passion for the game and the heart to deal with the idiosyncrancies of footballers and their coaches, and the fans as well. It’s not that straight forward like buying and selling commodities. The likes of B. K Edusei, S. K. Mainoo, H. P Nyemitei, Tommy Thompson, Mawuse Dake, E. A. Nartey, Blay Miezah, and lately Herbert Mensah Harry Zakkour and many too numerous to name here kept the flag flying in the amateur football days with a lot of sacrifice, goodwill and sound management. Now that we are in the scientific paid ranks we should be ready to operate the business enterprise in the open. Accountability is paramount.
I keep saying that supporters play a major role in the running of the football enterprise. This explains why playing a game behind closed doors is considered a huge punishment. I keep saying that Hearts and Kotoko set a good example by integrating their supporter groups namely Hearts Chapters and Kotoko Circles into the administrative set up. These organised groups travelled to all league centres to inspire the players to give of their best. All this at the expense of the individual supporters. They paid to fill the stands in droves not expecting free entrance like we saw last Sunday at Accra Stadium in the President’s Cup match.
It is doubtful that the Presidency ordered the free gates to mark the Republic Anniversary as I hear from the grapevine. It’s most likely to be the other way round. Somebody wants to impress the Presidency that Ghana football is still in good hands if we had a packed stadium.
This is nothing short of window dressing and it should be the last in the President’s Cup series.
For the avoidance of doubt window dressing refers to action or presentation that are in tended to create a positive impression often concealing something less favourable or misleading.
I talked with one of Ghana’s most objective sports critics and this is what he said, “I can only surmise that this is because recent editions of the event has not had the best attendances.”
A source close to the organisers told me in confidence, “That has been the practice for the past few years because of low turn up by fans. The handlers of the President will insist that the President will not be allowed to come and meet an empty stadium. You could see from today’s game that a lot of school kids were mobilised to fill the stands. Without the massive mobilisation the stadium would have been ermpty,” he added.
Ladies and gentlemen, this is Ghana football for you, intrigues and lack of transparency galore.
Aww I nearly forgot to congratulate Asante Kotoko for winning the President’s Cup for the 9th time. As I said the other day, no prize in sports is inferior. This is good victory to sweeten the Fabulous 90th Birthday on August 31.
Cheers everybody and keep loving sports
