Lessons for GBF, TSE to learn

 Elite football in Ghana has grinded to a halt for the past three weeks due to the misbehaviour of a few football fans.

The unfortunate incident by this ‘micro minority’ of football fans has affected the game nationwide as clubs struggle to keep their players active by playing friendly matches and also pay players’ salaries when nothing is coming into their coffers.

This is the reason why clubs and their fans must learn and understand the consequences and ramification of some of their actions.

It may have happened with football, one of the disciplines among Ghana’s over 50 registered sports federations and associations, but the damage on the country’s reputation as a sports nation cuts across all.

Importantly, it may be the reason why all other sports associations must take a cue from this incident and have plans to avert them.

The Minister of Sports and Recreation (MoSR), Mr Kofi Iddi Adams, last Friday launched a boxing league which is a collaboration between the Ghana Boxing Federation (GBF) and the Trust Sports Emporium (TSE).

The GBF is the regulatory body for non-professional boxing in Ghana while the TSE manages facilities at the Bukom Boxing Arena at Korle Gonno.

With an apparent sponsorship fatigue on the scene, it is important to pat the shoulders of the two organisations for providing a platform to identify and nurture new boxing talents.

With the Black Bombers missing out from major international championships, including the last Olympic Games, Ghana needs no further reminders of the importance of such competitions to search for new talents.

However, just like football, it is important to also tackle the issue of hooliganism, a menace with the propensity to wipe out the gains chalked.

This may have informed the Sports Minister’s advice at the launch of the event to eschew acts of hooliganism at the venue.

Hooliganism, the world over is known as a major demon in sports. And the Minister’s call came at an opportune time when the venue for the league has been host to some unpleasant scenes in a few promotions.

One may attempt to make a case that those incidents happened with their professional counterparts in a similar competition but sight must not be lost on the fact that the factors that resulted in those chaotic scenes would be the same.

A lot would, therefore, be expected from the organisers to ensure the atmosphere is peaceful and safe for fanatics.

Security at those events was generally poor. The few that attended watched in awe as fans vandalised properties.

For this reason, there must be an enhanced security arrangement, just like football is doing ahead of the resumption of the league. That would ensure that there is a serene atmosphere.

Aside that, the GBF must also identify some of the challenges that create those chaotic scenes and find a way to address them.

One of them is officiating. Some of these decisions only goes to raise libido for some of these needless reactions from the fans who must also realise that by engaging in such acts, they endangers themselves.

Undoubtedly, this is a huge platform for the GBF and TSE to raise the new generation of boxers to represent Ghana on the international scene and as a result, no effort must be spared in making it a success.

 By Andrew Nortey