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Soccer News of Thursday, 4 September 2003

Source: GNA

GFA Chairman lash at local coaches

Why Local Coaches Are Not Getting Black Stars Job
They Demand Bribes From Players

Ben Koufie, Chairman of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) has said he has evidence to prove that local coaches demand money from players before their invitation to the national teams camp.

He said the issue of some local coaches, in whose hands national team are entrusted; demand money from players who are invited to serve the nation has reached the association on many occasions.

"I have deliberately given a blind eye to those complains, he said, adding, " if man decides to expose these crocks, it will be bad for Ghana football" he stressed.

The chairman said he found it ridiculous when some local coaches campaign for the position to handle national teams though they do not have the moral justification to do so.

Koufie cautioned local coaches who aims at guiding any of the national teams to prove their worth by at least coming out successfully with coaching from the colts level through the first and second divisions clubs and to the premiership otherwise they should count themselves out for such positions.

He said until the local coaches themselves put their houses and stop their back -biting- attitude, it will be rare for his outfit to hang the destiny of the nation on their shoulders.

On the demand by the retired footballers of Ghana to be given special consideration during appointments by the association, the FA boss said though the nation owes it a responsibility to honour her heroes she is not obliged to take charge of them permanently.

"I will be the biggest fool to give any coaching position to just anyone who feels he once he played football to the moon and has retired. This is simply unprofessional and unacceptable, " he stressed.

The former coach said he does not buy the notion that retired players must take a major part in the development of the game because of their knowledge in the game and urged them to specialise and improve upon their talents in order to gain positions on merits.