Soccer News of Friday, 30 July 2010

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Nyantakyi Responds To Critics Over 'Autocratic' Regime

… Ghana FA president Kwesi Nyantakyi has rejected the 'autocratic management tag' attributed to his leadership style.

The head of a local club in the west African nation alleged that the FA head has instilled fear in people around him and has ruined sports in the country.

"I take the running of football as a challenge and I will continue to do my best to ensure the best practices are always used. I never knew there was a cloud of fear hovering around the FA. That is a cheap argument,” Nyantakyi argued.

"But if someone chooses to claim that I am presiding over an autocratic system at the FA, then I think that person is being dishonest. Such a perception is only residing in his [Odotei] thoughts.

"People should not spew out untruths just to push their personal ambitions.

"Of course the GFA is not a perfect institution because it's a human institution which is and can be fraught with its own limitations.

"The FA is run by competent people who do their very best in the supreme interest of the game. The Executive Committee accepts proposals, allows diverse views and makes recommendations. And I am just a member of the Executive Committee, how do I then run an autocratic system," he quipped.

Nyantakyi then discounted King Faisal CEO's argument that the league is suffering from poor patronage and quality due to the FA's management style.

"Various factors come into play here which has contributed to the low patronage at the various stadia.

"It's not just about shifting the blame to one doorstep. The clubs and various stakeholders have a role to play. A forum was organised by the Ghana League Clubs Association sometime back in Accra, and many factors were attributed to this unfortunate situation that we have to deal with.

"We continue to improve the value of the league and market it.

"I expect people who have a greater interest to address the issues properly and not play on people's emotions. The FA has a role to play by ensuring that it promotes and regulates the game and puts in the best policies so do the clubs have the same responsibility of improving their brands to help lift the standard."