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
Accra Hearts of Oak will aim to assume the top spot of the Ghana Premier League (GPL) when they travel to Tema to face Vision FC at the Nii Adjei Kraku Sports Complex today.
Perched at the second spot and trailing leaders Medeama with three points, the Phobians would need to snatch the maximum points and a superior goal aggregate to have a taste of the top spot, at least for a day.
It will be a game full of fireworks considering Hearts’ impressive performance on the road against Vision’s strength at home.
The Matchday 6 games would also witness a Saturday clash between Heart of Lions and Berekum Chelsea FC at the Kpando Stadium.
Asante Kotoko’s home clash against Young Apostles will headline tomorrow’s games as they aim to bounce back after the previous week’s defeat in Swedru.
At the Nsenkyire Sports Arena, FC Samartex will test Medeama SC’s character when they clash in what could affect their respective positions on the table after the round seven matches.
After the giant-killing feat over Asante Kotoko, Swedru All Blacks will lock horns with Karela United at the Swedru Stadium just as Basake Holy Stars engage Bechem United at the AAK II Sports Arena,
Fireworks is anticipated at the Debibi Presby Park in the Bono region where Debibi United FC look poised to face Gold Stars.
At the Nana Agyemang Badu I Park, Aduana FC will welcome FC Ashantigold in a clash that will see fans applaud afternoon.
By Andrew Nortey
SKIP THE QUEUE, TAP THE NEWS
You can now read the Ghanaian Times and The Spectator newspapers from the comfort of your device via TimesNewsPlus.
Join our WhatsApp Channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBElzjInlqHhl1aTU27
Over two decades ago, I made a statement that if I was given the sole responsibility to come out with the league fixtures for the season, I could give some advantage to some clubs and make winning the league difficult for other clubs. People laughed it off.
To them, it didn’t make sense because in a league in which all clubs play each other twice, things will ‘balance out,’ and the best club will win. I disagree, and I will explain.
In recent times, it seems Kumasi Asante Kotoko has more difficult first five games in the league than arch rivals Accra Hearts of Oak. Debatable?
This is exactly one of the ways to make it difficult for a club to win the league (if a club is marginally better than the others). How can making the first matches in the league difficult for a club lead to a disadvantage for the club?
A. The club starts on a poor note and may struggle to catch up
Imagine a club playing its first five matches against its most difficult opponents. If the club draws all five matches, it will end up with five points. A rival club that plays its easiest matches in the first five games could end up with 15 points.
It will not be easy for the club with five points to catch up with the club with 15 points because other factors will come in.
B. Psychological ‘boost’ for the winning club and possible stress/’depression’ for the seemingly struggling club
The team that is winning gets a boost. They appear to be better. Their players get confident. Their strikers may be leading on the Goal King chart. Their goalkeeper(s) will be having more clean sheets – finishing matches without conceding goals.
This will be opposite for the team that played more difficult matches. The supporters may be demanding more from the players, putting them under more pressure.
Some of the players may ‘crack’ under the pressure. New players are especially more difficult to settle down. They may end up on the bench for subsequent matches and may struggle to recover and come back into the first team.
C. The coach may be sacked or may resign/leave under pressure
The coach of the club that plays more difficult matches will come under pressure. The coach is likely going to be judged by the points accrued and the position of the club on the league table, not by the quality of opposition faced.
The pressure will come from the bosses and the supporters. The coach may end up being sacked or resigning/leaving under pressure.
D. Players more likely to get injured in tough matches
The club that plays more difficult matches is likely to record more injuries of its players early in the season. Some players may miss the whole season through injuries.
On the other hand, the club that plays easier matches earlier in the season will have the luxury to substitute and rest players when they are comfortably leading in matches.
Players may not have to exert themselves so much, reducing the risk of injuries.
E. Supporters abandon the team that is not winning and may not go to the stadium to give home support
If a club is not winning, its supporters may not pay money to go to the stadium to watch matches. In fact, they may not even go to the stadium if they are asked to go and watch matches for free.
This will not only have financial consequences for the club, an almost empty stadium takes away the home advantage from the ‘intimidation’ of supporters.
The above are all reasons why the first games in the league can give an advantage or a disadvantage to clubs.
Once this it accepted, it means there must be fairness in coming up with the league fixtures if we want the best club(s) to emerge as winners who can represent the country and not disgrace the country internationally.
A transparent way of coming up with the league fixtures is needed (like how balloting is done for knockout competitions).
This way, clubs and individuals cannot complain that someone or some people decided to favour some clubs through the league fixtures.
By Dr. (Med) Kofi Effah
SKIP THE QUEUE, TAP THE NEWS
You can now read the Ghanaian Times and The Spectator newspapers from the comfort of your device via TimesNewsPlus.
Join our WhatsApp Channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBElzjInlqHhl1aTU27
