By Ken Bediako
An unnamed motivational speaker is reported to have made this profound statement, “your attitude determines your altitude”. There is a lot of truth in this he said adding that, “if you want to succeed in life you have to show an attitude of gratitude”.
Ghana is blessed with so much football talents and passionate lovers of the game but our attitude towards the game is not the best. We take things for granted and thus cannot maintain our top rank among the comity of football nations even in Africa. Parochial interest is gradually but unnoticeably destroying our game. Everybody wants to form a football club, turn into a football agent and serve on the Football Association. Therein lies anarchy.
Almost all past heads of the FA would tell you stories about the wolves in sheep skin who would disturb your peace whilst in office. This is not good enough to ensure progress and a change of attitude is a must if we plan to regain our past glory in this era of professionalism.
The present seeming chaos in our football administration makes some of us recall the amateur football days when young men played for the love of the game and administrators invariably used their own resources to promote the game for fame and honour. Oh sincere and enthusiastic people like B. K Edusei, S. K. Mainoo, H. P Nyemitei, Roger Ocansey, Gilbert Attipoe, Mourkazel, Naja David, Simms Mensah, Tommy Thompson, W.K. Kpikpitse, Ampofo Manu, Budu Acquah, E.A Nartey, A. A. Ampofo (Kofi Charlie) Evans Teye and many others must be shaking their heads in the grave. They might have toiled in vain.
These were all volunteers so to speak so I did not mention the colossus administrator Ohene Djan, Director of sports and GFA executive Secretary a paid official who put Ghana Football on the world map and rose to become Africa’s representative on FIFA. In a typical self-destruction exercise
Ghana made sure Ohene Djan lost all his positions both at home and abroad after the 1966 Coup that toppled Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah’s regime. And typical of our national attitude, subsequent FIFA and CAF appointments for GFA heads Nana Fredua Mensah, Sam Okyere and lately Kwasi Nyantakyi all vanished.
Ladies and gentlemen let’s stop the backbiting and get serious. AFCON is gone but we need to tackle the upcoming World Cup qualifier against Nigeria with all seriousness.
Reports from Nigeria say the Super Eagles are working overtime to reach Qatar. Indeed, they have formed a crack five-man technical team of former national stars with credible credentials to try and eclipse the Black Stars at Cape Coast on March 25
Emmanuel Amunike 1994 footballer of the year and Olympic gold medallist is the chief coach. Augustin Eguaven, 1994 AFCON winner is the technical adviser; Selom Yusif and Joseph Yobo, both former national Stars are the assistant coaches with Aloysius Agu, the goalkeeping trainer.
I am not sure which is more advantageous playing home first or away first. No matter what the Black Stars are playing home first and they need all the national backing to make it such a great day that the second leg would be less tension packed.
I am expecting the GFA and the sports media to galvanise the football public into a frenzy, especially the massive student population in Cape Coast.
The nation is in the 65th Independence anniversary mood and all hands should be on deck.
In my research, I came across an interesting quote I wish to share with my readers.
“We get insight when we listen to those who have been before and who know more than we do.
We are able to learn from others when we humble ourselves and acknowledge how little we know. Willingness to learn is a mark of those who are truly wise. If you think you know everything you have a lot to learn”.
Cheers everybody and keep loving sports.
