Ghana’s Premier League To Loose Patronage

International Club football all over the world, has begun with all the glamour, excitement, patronage, and media attention, as usual. The sale of football as a product on pay per-view networks in Ghana is also receiving the needed subscription as ever before. When would this seasons’ league begin in Ghana? As well, is the Professional League Board (PLB) aware that, it is parting with the support base of our local league?

Over the years, the major leagues begin well with Ghanaian football lovers flocking to fill pubs and bars as if they have a date to honour with these foreign football leagues. The Barclays English Premier League (EPL) said to be the most exciting has stowed away Ghanaian soccer fans to pull on replica jerseys of the formers clubs. Factually, local football supporters are slapped with entertainment without pain. In other words Ghana stands to loose gate proceeds when this seasons league begins. Though this has been the trend over some period now, the zest of support for local football is said to be waning, but it is firmly hidden in foreign football leagues. Surprisingly, there has been no visible intent to stem this tied. Ghanaian football authorities are at their wits end to shred the support base of local soccer. Any doubt?

It is imperative to note that, the Professional League Board (PLB), has over the decades refused to reform the local football calendar. Likewise, has the PLB thought of starting the Premier League on time before foreign football swoops on the interest of Ghanaian football followers. Local football clubs pay through their noses to maintain teams. These clubs play in virtually empty stadiums, with arms thrown up in despair as to how to defeat the potent threat of foreign footballs’ venom. Efforts to boost attendance seem not to be in sight.

Nevertheless, kits used by football clubs in Ghana stands with many deficits. Names are not inscribed at the back of jerseys. Besides, some of these jerseys are worked out, hence, not colourful to please. The few who flock the stadiums are hand full, age-old supporters of clubs, or those who skip over the walls to freely enjoy the sweat of the field actors. Comparatively, Ghana Premier football teams are shabbily dressed to those of international clubs. These foreign clubs pursue football as a product, to which they give it all the marketing care it deserves. To the Ghanaian football authority, what is football? Is it only about entertainment? Most often, players of Ghanaian teams appear on pitches, as if conscripted to duty, running around without tactical formation and discipline.

Sierra Leone has suffered a total league collapse affecting that country’s fortune in football. The stadia meant for football matches turned out for the purposes of political rallies and religious crusades. What a wrong usage of an edifice of the beautiful game. Thank God, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) has up till now not shown any puns in paying bonuses to the national team players. But while Sierra Leone football authorities struggled to pay bonuses, that country’s citizens gladly fill cinema halls to dish out peanuts to watch top liners of foreign leagues. Especially, the English Premier League, (EPL). This was reported by a Sports Journalist, Joseph Sawan. Ghana Football stands at the ebbing risk to suffer same. No prophesy of doom. Let those within the confines of civility prick themselves and brood through. With just 50 pesewa or 1 Ghana cedi, top matches involving Michael Essien’s Chelsea and Manchester United could be served by cable networks, at cinema halls. Read between these few lines with a squint eye.

In spite of all these, our stadia are comparable to Chilean mines. Proclivity to violence is not in dispute, while perpetrators and their faceless morale boosters are royally offered save heavens every time. The image of Ghana football has over the years failed to respond to treatments of reprieve, foresight and dedication. Is Ghana Football Association GFA, waiting to see the total demise of our Premier League Football, before they look out for a miracle ‘man’ to come wake it up?

GFA should enquire from Ghana Airways now Ghana International Airlines (GA/GIA) how slowly patronage can dwindle, image can come crushing, and an airline can be run from offices without any visible evidence on tarmacs. The FA might equally run Ghana football from the GFA offices with rarely any real functional clubs. How many local players featured prominently in the 2010 African and World Cups? It attests to the quality of local materials available. God help Ghana Football. A call to make up for the 23 man squad without active role is logically similar to ignoring the local players.

Lets catalogue Ghana Football failed promises of attempts to success. When was the last time Ghana appeared at the Youth under 17 tournaments. Again, we could not qualify for the last Olympics. Ghana has lost the places for the number of Ghanaian Football clubs at the Confederation of Africa Footballs’ (CAF) continental competitions. Sadly it took place under our gazing eyes. What about the Ladies under-20 team who were in Germany 2010? Not even a wooden medal. Please pay heed to didactic, for the one the gods would destroy they first make proud. Ghana Football’s quality is fading like a material and sinking like a ship. The captain must be up to smile the roses. No intent to split hairs with an authority. It is time to get active. Releasing verbal brutes to defend the indefensible policies and as well make the untenable tenable will not change the dwindling fortunes of Ghana Football.

Although, a top United States Minister of God laid hand’s on an aircraft of the defunct Ghana Airways now Ghana International Airlines, yet you know what happened. Should it be repeated? Wait till it happens to Ghana Football. Then you would be a living witness of the beautiful game, turn ugly game in our part of the world. For those who would ebb to any depth to achieve their objective of being recognized by their paymasters to prove that Ghana football is colourful should goad. When the ship finally sinks the water will hit their feet. Should we wait?

The foreign leagues have started in earnest and enthusiasm is rising. What are the chances of Ghana Football?