Are we abandoning our stadia and pitches to rot?
The piece of news from the Ashanti Regional Sports Development Officer to the effect that his Regional Sports Authority would auction seats at the VIP section of the Baba Yara Sports Stadium to private individuals reveals a lot. The Sports Development Officer, Mr Iddrisu, appeared frustrated and, perhaps, was at his wits’end to solving a hydra-headed problem. He is said to have inherited on a mountain of debts at his office on his transfer to the Ashanti Regional Office. The debt for electricity bill alone was in millions of Cedis on his assumption of duty.
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Indeed, the television pictures accompanying his disclosure were enough to depict the mess at the Baba Yara Stadium, and that is not all. The Accra Sports Stadium is almost in the same condition. Both stadia, in addition to Essipon in Sekondi and Tamale Stadium in the Tamale Township, were built only some seven years ago as part of our preparation to host the 2008 African Cup of Nations.
They were, indeed, a show-
Indeed in many areas of our national life, it is clear that we don’t have leaders whose responsibility it is to take charge of and maintain our assets.
It should be right to ask ourselves as to who is in charge of the state named Ghana. We have created a lot of titles and positions without adequate job functions and responsibilities. We have Director of this and Chief and Head of that with big, big air-conditioned offices and allowances, who do virtually nothing.
Additionally, we continue to employ new staff members even when we don’t have jobs for them. I worked in the Civil Service for 15 years and I had lived and worked in such working environments. One only needs to go to any of our ministries to appreciate the point being discussed. You take a look at and count the number of big titles on office doors.
In the transportation sector of our economy, recently established private transport companies such as VIP and O and A Travel and Tour appear to be better run and maintained than the state ones which have staff carrying big titles such as Chief Engineer with perhaps two deputies in addition to Senior Engineer with deputies, Chief Accountant and a host of them with their accompanying salaries and fringe benefits.
Just recently, before our football match against the Comoros, we all saw the bushy and unkempt field at the Accra Sports Stadium. We had to fall on privately owned and run Liberty Professionals to solve the problem, otherwise, our Black Stars players were going to boycott training.
Unfortunately, the government cannot escape blame in all these. Every government organisation appears to be complaining of lack of budgetary funding and allocation. We leave our politicians to dig into the reasons for lack of money. Even approved funds are not given to the intended state organs. But my point is that we cannot build stadia and playing fields only to allow them to decay and go rotten.
We should all appreciate the fact that our football plays vital roles in our economic development. Although there are no available data to quote from, it is evidently clear that the game has offered a lot of employment avenues to a number of our countrymen and women.
For a long time now, we have had a lot of Ghanaian footballers who started their carrier here but are now outside the country plying their trade. They earn a lot of money to sustain themselves, their families and friends. The various investments they have made in the country are also a plus to our national development.
Some people condemn and criticise our local football, but that does not negate the fact that it contributes to the livelihood and sustenance of a lot of people, especially those in the youth bracket. We should also remember that as and when our national teams engage in any international match or tournament, the brand name of Ghana is further enhanced and publicised.
In August last year, the President of the GFA, Mr Kwesi Nyantakyi, indicated in a speech at Ho that the GFA was liaising with FIFA to develop football pitches in all regional capitals over the next four years. He said such international standard pitches would help market the local league and minimise avoidable injuries.
This, indeed is a noble and welcome move. It is unfortunate that our mentor and god-father, Sepp Blatter is being haunted and discredited. But since FIFA is still functioning and in charge of world football we pray that this project would see day-light. The existing fields are all under the administration of the National Sports Authority. But it is becoming clear that the perennial insufficient budget allocations to the authority are undermining their ability to maintain the various stadia. It would, therefore, be helpful if whatever assistance that may be there, would be extended to us. As referees, we need these stadia to handle matches.
We hope that some big-man in the government has heard the cry and plan of Mr Iddrisu, the Ashanti Regional Sports Development Officer. He appears to have been stretched to his limit. The Baba Yara Stadium and other national stadia and pitches clearly need urgent attention.
We can’t forget what happened at the Accra Sports Stadium when the lights went off in the presence of President Mahama during a very important international match recently. The stadia are national assets and we should see to it that they are well maintained.
