Sports
GFA budget versus Adams’ axe
Anyone interested in how the public purse is disbursed and applied would surely applaud the Minister of Sports and Recreation, Mr Kofi Adams, for the measures taken to protect it.
Mr Adams slightly took the shine off the Black Stars’ preparation for the FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Chad and Mali with the disclosure of a budget submitted by the Ghana Football Association (GFA) for the two matches.
Additionally, he announced drastic cuts to the said budget, a move he indicated was to ensure fiscal discipline as directed by the President, John Dramani Mahama.
By the information made available, the GFA submitted a budget of $2,053,240 for the organisation and preparation of the team for the two matches.
The amount was to also pay mouthwatering bonuses and allowances that makes one wonder how certain amounts have been made to look like ‘chicken change’ or ‘coins.’
In certain quarters, the Sports and Recreation Minister has been hailed for the decision that is explained to have saved the nation an amount of $732,750.00.
“The Ministry subjected the estimates to a detailed internal review and identified line items that required adjustment, clarification, and removal, guided by government’s current fiscal posture and the need for prudent spending,” the Minister was reported to have said.
That was obviously a great move although some aspects and postures of the Ministry has not gone down well with the FA, and the public would wait rather impatiently to know the content of its promised reaction after the double-header.
Football, indeed, remains an expensive venture and any participant must be ready to meet it demands if the dream is to reap its full benefits.
From the provision of infrastructure, acquisition of logistics to per diem and bonus payment, one would need to break the bank to stay at a level considered as standard.
This becomes a headache for countries with smaller economies like Ghana that struggles to provide infrastructure like schools, hospitals, roads, provision of water, shelter and many other basic needs.
It, therefore, beats the imagination of many how Ghana is able to pay huge bonuses and allowances, some of which can be compared to other national teams at their best.
Interestingly, some of the line items were deemed untouchable. For example, the chartered flight that cost the tax payer $300,000, players’ per diem of $150, and $200 for technical staff and officials escaped the ‘Adams axe.’
Expenses like bonuses for players couldn’t swerve the chopping board, suffering 50 per cent cuts – meaning players would take $5,000 instead of $10,000 as winning bonuses.
Coach Otto Addo would still smile to the bank with $10,000 although he would be happier with the $20,000 the FA wanted to pay.
Additionally, the bonus for the assistant coaches were reduced from $10,000 to $5,000, those of the team doctor, physiotherapist, video analyst, and psychologist were reduced from $10,000 to $4,000, with the kit officers, media officer, masseur, welfare officer, and dietician taking $4,000 instead of $8,000 with the $10,000 bonus for management officials cancelled.
The team’s imprest was also reduced from $60,000 to $20,000, while facility user fees of $2,000 and internal transport (fuel) of $5,000 were removed.
What is assuring is that the development will not affect the team’s psyche in anyway as players and officials remain greatly motivated to secure Ghana’s qualification.
But the chapter is not closed until the FA releases its promised response to bring clarity on issues it appears uncomfortable with.
By Andrew Nortey
A little over six weeks ago, everything pointed to a Medeama SC coronation as 2025/26 Ghana Premier League (GPL) champions at the end of the season.
That sounds premature, considering the fact that there were close to about 15 matches before the curtain was drawn on the competition.
However, believers of that assumption were right with that call due to Medeama’s form and doughty-character.
Medeama has been fearless this season. They have been ruthless, sharp, composed and a very formidable opposition, dealing with what their opponents throw at them.
In fact, establishing a 17-game unbeaten run speaks volumes of the quality Medeama has shown this season.
Two people have been key in this transformational story – Coach Ibrahim Tanko and playmaker, Salim Adams.
As of Week 21, Medeama SC opened a yawning seven-point gap with 43 points, leading Aduana FC, Hearts of Oak and Gold Stars, all with 36 points without any indication of slowing down.
But the story has completely changed just four matches after, with Medeama currently occupying the top spot with a slim one point.
Worse of all is the failure to record a win in their last five games in the competition, surviving at the top with unfavourable results of their closest competitors.
That winless run has seen Medeama drawn in three games against Samartex FC, Aduana FC and Swedru All Blacks, and lost to Nations FC and Hohoe United.
The nature of the defeat to Hohoe United generated controversy among those who won’t accept that a penalty miss and an erratic clearance by goalkeeper Felix Kyei that gifted the Voltarians the winning goal were genuine errors.
Their recent falters should have been pleasant opportunities for second-placed Gold Stars, and Hearts of Oak to capture reins at the top, but strangely, they suffered challenges of their own; leaving Medeama hanging at the top.
These dynamics are beginning to paint a positive picture for the competition as clubs at the top fight for more points to take pole positions, wrest with strugglers who are also battling hard for survival.
Outside of the top three, with chances of assuming the top spot if the Medeama form does not see any improvement, are Karela United and Asante Kotoko.
Despite their struggles, they have an outside chance of joining the battle at the top with nine matches to go.
At this stage of the competition, the pressure will be on Coach Ibrahim Tanko and his Medeama charges. Having ‘bottled’ a seven-point gap to a single point, it is surely theirs to lose.
Tanko, in previous interviews, has parried questions over the pressure on him and the team, but their current predicament leaves much to be desired.
The next two months would witness intense battle at both ends of the table with as many as five clubs having reason to contest for the ultimate, with about the same number set for the late drama to escape the last two slots to join Eleven Wonders, who are the surest bet for demotion.
By Andrew Nortey
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A step closer to glory awaits six Ghana Premier League (GPL) club sides and two Division One clubs as they battle for spots at the semi-finals stage of the 2025-26 MTN FA Cup this weekend at the Cape Coast Stadium and the Nana Fosu Gyeabour Park in Bechem.
Dreams FC, the 2022-2023 champions, will clash with Heart of Lions in the quarter-finals at the Cape Coast Stadium tomorrow at pm.
Heart of Lions are going through a difficult spell in the league, having lost ground on their title aspirations that started brightly.
Dreams FC thrashed Lions 3-0 in the reverse fixture of the GPL game in January after losing 1-0 in the first round tie, and tomorrow’s game comes in to settle the scores between the two sides this season.
Although struggling, Lions lie two places above Dreams’ 12th position on the league log and will look to take that inspiration into the game.
The day’s other game will see two-time champions Medeama SC battle Access Bank Division One League (DOL) Zone Three side Attram De Visser at the same venue at 7pm.
The GPL leaders Medeama SC are in the chase for a double this season and will chase a win to appease their fans.
After defeating Asante Kotoko 4-2 on penalties in the Round of 16, Aduana FC will seek to account for Access Bank DOL Zone One B campaigners, Techiman Liberty Youth, today.
Aduana FC are in the hunt for a double this season as they are currently third on the GPL table, trailing leaders Medeama SC with five points.
Having been decisive in matches against Nsuatre FC, Victory Club Warriors and Real Tamale United to get this far, the best in the annals of the club’s history, coach Ezekiel Nii Yeboah of Liberty Youth would be out to cause an upset.
At the Nana Fosu Gyeabour Park in Bechem tomorrow, another interesting pairing is set to play out as the all-Premier League affair between Nations FC and Berekum Chelsea takes centre stage.
By Raymond Ackumey
