By Mr Ken Bediako
There is a huge upcoming programme on GTV sports featuring three former bosses of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) and the current one to discuss what they term “Saving Our Passion”.
You don’t need a white cane to realise that the discussion follows the Black Stars rather disgraceful output at the just ended AfCON in Cameroon.
It should be an interesting show if the former GFA heads with the benefit of hindsight dwell on what they could have done better when in office and make the appropriate recommendations, it would serve a better purpose than to rake skeletons and thus muddy the waters in this crisis period.
Nana Brew Butler, Alhaji Jawula, Dr Nyaho-Nyaho Tamakloe and Kwasi Nyantakyi all faced herculean problems when in office and their experiences should be able to guide the new kid on the block Kurt Okraku.
A conspicuous absentee from the panellists is Mr Awuah Nyamekye, GFA boss from 1990-92. I know him to be a bit publicity shy and suspect he prefers a low profile.
In 1993 when Nana Butler then the league clubs’ chairman was appointed to replace the hurriedly formed three-man interim GFA, the so-called football people were baffled.
Mr Joe Lartey and Mr Atta Paintsil both of the Sports Council and Major Yaw Larsen of OGLCA had been mandated to run the GFA but the committee was suddenly dissolved. Even though Nana Butler made his presence felt during his tenure, he would agree he faced numerous problems. In his reign from 1993 to 1997.
Alhaji Jawula who took over from Nana Butler till 2001 also did his best but would admit he encountered numerous problems.
Dr Nyaho Tamakloe did not appear to have the temperament to handle such a delicate position as GFA boss in 2004 and resigned after only a year in office.
I was a board member of the National Sports Council at the time and led by our chairman Dr Pufaa, we tried to intervene but Dr Nyaho was not prepared for any compromise.
“I have even made my position clear to President Kufuor” he told the NSC board at a meeting at Accra Stadium.
This writer is happy Dr Nyaho after his apprenticeship under the legendary grey haired soccer philosopher H.P. Nyemitei and Nii Hearts Tommy Thompson is now cool enough to talk about saving the passion of the nation.
I expect Kwesi Nyantakyi to be extremely cautious about his posturing to avoid any backlash that would let people resort to what I am praying against i.e., raking the skeletons.
The organisers of the show may mean well by bringing all these experienced football administrators to the table to save the passion. I believe the young man who is craving for the love of the game to be brought back will take all criticisms in good faith and help in charting a new course for the good of the game.
The assignments ahead for the Black Stars are quite tough and those entrusted to manage affairs should think straight since they admit the fact it is a passion of the nation. The football passion is not only in Ghana but in Senegal as well where the nation enjoyed a public holiday because the Green Stars, sorry the Taranga Lions won the Africa Cup.
Do you realise Senegal have the same national colours like Ghana but a green star instead of black?
From a distance one may think it is the BLACK STAR.
On this note I would like to appeal to as many football fans and critics as possible to watch the TV programme under discussion. Your analysis would definitely add to the campaign to save the passion.
Cheers everybody and keep loving sports.
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