Have you ever thought you failed to communicate what you intended? Putting yourself on receivers end is one way of putting things right
Introduction
Communication, in a way, encourages understanding and learning. Significantly, communication helps to create an enabling climate that encourages free flow of ideas, explains a purpose of an issue and promotes conversations where people learn from another. If one does not get information right, one portrays it in a different way.
Since 2006, when Ghana participated in the FIFA World Cup finals for the first time, the World Cup Prize Money has become a lexicon on the football scene. Its origin, purpose and management practices appear distorted by many during discussions.
It is generally postulated by some that since the government spends much of the national tax on the Black Stars any financial benefits from its participation in a tournament should go to the government. This simplistic position carried the day for the government to demand proceeds from 2006, 2010 and 2014 to be paid to the government’s chest.
The missing link in this exercise is for the public to realise that the game of football thrives on its openness; which expects that the football public understands and appreciates the tenets underpinning the games’ development.
In the world of politics and finance the general public is often partially informed and deliberately so, but football is an open book. Joseph Blatter
Background
For a better discussion of the issue at stake, all should have a fair understanding of the World Cup Prize Money concept. It is a creation of the FIFA, the governing body of the world football. In its efforts to grow the game worldwide, FIFA designed a 3 pronged mantra:
• develop the game;
•touch the game; and
• build a better future.
FIFA, expects its Confederations and the 209 National Associations to give practical expression to FIFA’s mantra.
Mindful of the financial constraints of the implementing authorities, FIFA designed measures to raise much needed funds to facilitate the execution of its mantra. It uses its flagship competition, the FIFA World Cup, to mobilise funds from various sponsors, cumulative attendance fees from spectators and inflows from world-wide TV audience, among others. The finals have been held every four years since its inception in Uruguay in 1930.
Performance Principle
Within the framework of FIFA’s “Performance Principle”, the generated financial inflow from the above mentioned resources is distributed pro-rata among the participating nations which are considered as “elite” of the world football at each Cup period.
Now the tournament is tailored for 32 nations. In recent past those who did not make it to the group stage received at least US$8million, while the champions could earn an appreciable figure within the region of US$24miilion.
It is a measure for FIFA to recognise the level at which each of the 32 teams, that qualify to participate in the World Cup finals, reach in the tournament.
Solidarity Principle
Furthermore, under FIFA “Solidarity Principle”, the beneficiary National Associations are obliged to use the receipts to fund various selected development programmes in its territorial areas. It is also meant to finance other competitions of FIFA as many are found to be unprofitable forinstance Women Football and the aged competitions.
Undeniably, the World Cup Prize Money is solely for Ghana Football Association in respect of Ghana’s participation in the Finals. Simply put, the funds from FIFA paid directly to the National Associations, are meant to support their efforts in executing the FIFA’s mantra.
Accountability Measures
The provider of the funds, FIFA, installed precautionary regulations to ensure that each beneficiary is subjected to local audit, annually, to affirm accountability and transparency of funds entrusted to it. GFA is audited annually by the Auditor General’s Department. Furthermore, FIFA has made provision also for random auditing, of the beneficiaries by some attested world class Auditing Firms.
Management of FIFA World Cup Prize Money
In 2006, it was made known to the public that Ghana earned US$8million; but with deductable taxes and other exigencies, the FA received about US$6,000,000.
In 2010, an amount of US$11miilion was credited to the GFA on merit performance to group level.
In 2014, the dailies attested that a receipt of US$8million was due to the FA. It was learnt that it whittled to US$6,000,000 due to the taxable component.
It is on record that on November 30, 2010, Abu Alhassan Committee (other members being K. Awua-Nyamekye and George Amoako), appointed by the Executive Committee of the FA, submitted its report to the FA in furtherance to FIFA’s directives.
Abu Alhassan Report made its proposals on disbursement of the Prize Money from FIFA in respect of 2010 World Cup (South Africa) to service the FA’s 2010-2014 Development Plan. Simply, it tackled some of the critical areas on which to build solid foundation for a long term football development in Ghana.
The GFA Development Plan (2010-14)
The FA’s vision for development of the game is captured under (6) main thematic subjects namely:
• Youth Development Programme
• Development of Women Football
• Football Infrastructure Development
• Efficient running of Professional Football League
• Improved Business Development and Marketing Drive
• Technical Development (referees, sports medicine and sports administration)
The proposed application of the World Cup Prize money for 2010 was to deal with such critical issues such as:
Refurbishment of the Prampram School of Excellence:
• revamping the structural requirements such as provision of clinic, swimming pool and a 3 Star Hotel facility and others at Prampram.
Youth Development Programme:
• development plan for football academies and provision of community play grounds.
Revamping the Regional Football Association
• To grow the game nationwide.
Assistance to the Clubs
• Support to clubs on international assignments
• Improvement of the infrastructure at some of the league centres; among others.
Obviously, the expected receipts from the 2010 tournament were to be used to propel the above mentioned programmes which are critical to the games development in the country. It was in this direction that Mr. Ben Koufie, a former GFA Chairman and CAF/FIFA instructor, postulated for a holistic development agenda to the game as against the overemphasis on the Black Stars.
The success which the Black Stars are enjoying today, causing all Ghanaians to bask in glory would prove ephemeral, if those superitending the game in the country do not direct their energies towards development of the local game from the grassroots at …. which is suffering from patronage and quality football.
This truism cannot be wished away. The FIFA’s receipts came handy to enable the FA to execute its development plan which is calculated towards a holistic development plan to move the game to a respectable state.
It is unfortunate that in Ghana, FIFA World Cup Prize Money concept is being handled contrary to the giver’s, FIFA’s, directive. Ghanaian sporting authorities and the general football public should be mindful of the purpose of the concept and accept it in that way. On what basis can any meaningful criticism be made against the FA for not developing the game in Ghana, if funds provided by FIFA for that purpose is taken away from it. The money in question cannot be a feature of the Exchequer.
Let us humbly demand that what belongs to the FA should be given to it; and to enable us see growth and sustainability of the game in the country.
Considered role of government in football development
FIFA and the FA are not oblivious to the pivotal role governments, especially in the developing economies, play in funding the national teams and other programmes. But the game encompasses the local leagues and various developmental facets which are not catered for under the government’s funding scheme.
Mindfully, the government has the constitutional responsibility to finance the promotion and development of sports, and by extension, of football, the undoubted passion of the nation. Undeniably the game is a veritable catalyst for national identity and international glory. The government have to see the game of football or sports in general not as expenditure but as an investment. The refurbishment of Accra and Kumasi stadiums and the construction of Tamale and Sekondi/Takoradi stadiums are true reflection of the government’s commitment to its constitutional responsibility. The country needs football clubs out of which the National Teams are built. Without the clubs can Ghana boast of the Black Stars?
On the Africa scene, It is evidenced in Tunisia, that the local authorities and by extension, government provide 14% of the budget of a typical premier league club.
In Nigeria almost all the Premier League clubs are owned and funded by the various state governments.
These countries provide a perfect example of government support to the national FA’s development agenda with emphasis to the local league.
In Ghana, a provision is however made in the Common Funds of the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) for sports; but no MMDA can claim any credit for effective use of it on sports development in its area of responsibility.
Unfortunately, the government’s support to clubs towards the development of the game is non-existent. In Ghana, as in most African countries, football has acquired a national meaning which is in contention with politics. It is unfortunate for a government to look on askance on matters relating to the development agenda of the industry, and for that matter sports, in financial terms.
Almost all premier clubs are teethering on the edge of financial precipice due to the various noticeable lapses on Ghana’s football scene. This issue needs a critical study for the good of the game.
Concerns
The furor arising out of the Black Stars performance at the 2014 World Cup Finals and the perceived mouth watering disbursement of the inflows to participants led to the establishment of Justice Dzamefe Commission to make a passionate study of events and submit a report which would contain the re-occurrence of issues which negatively surfaced in Brazil.
Though the report is not yet in but from the proceedings at its sittings, there were revelations of incompetency, greed and corruption within the organisational agencies.
The general public concern is to ensure the sustainability of the Black Stars to perform on regular basis at the World scene devoid of the noticeable lapses associated with the tournament since 2006. It is believed that the Justice Dzamefe Commission would unravel these lapses for credible measures to be installed to deal with future tournaments without any rancour.
The World Cup would continue to delight most of the world, most of the time. But the FA should be seen to distance itself from the concerns from both Human Rights and Anti-Corruption Organisation against FIFA.
Benchmarks
1. Art 2.3 of the FA Statutes states inter alia:
“the GFA shall be neutral in matters of politics and religion. It prohibits any form of political, religious, sexual, ethnic or racial discrimination”.
The exercise should be seen as a national project devoid of cronyism and party political colourisation; to be in line with the aforementioned article in the FA’s Statutes.
2. The FA’s statutory obligation to the World Cup is enshrined in Art 4.10 should be recognized and respected. The objective of the FA shall be:
“To organise training and competitive programmes and arrange and oversee the participation of national teams at various levels in international competitions organized by FIFA, CAF and WAFU.
3. Art 4.9 states: the FA….
“To promote good relationship with the body any time charged with the overall organisation and control of sport in Ghana”
4. As much as there should be collaboration between the FA and thte Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Ministry should:
• not usurp the FA’s statutory obligation of the FA in respect of the tournament;
• be a supervisory agency which strengthens the FA towards growth and sustainability. It would enable it to deal appropriately with malfeances associated with the exercise. Simply, it should distant itself from day to day administration of the tournament.
• Any innovative concept initiated by the Ministry related to the tournament should not be on the blind side of the FA. The ambassadorial concept which emerged recently should have the FA’s input and the FA should be part of its implementation.
• be seen to be showing equal zeal towards the financial determinants to the holistic development of the FA’s efforts and not only to the World Cup Competitions.
5. Ferrying of Supporters groups to the tournaments should be appraised alongside financial needs of developing the game. It has resulted in the proliferation of supporters’ groups working tirelessly to catch the eyes of persons in corridors of governance so as to be part of the package.
There are various means of ensuring the presence of Ghanaians or Supporters at stadia to cheer the Black Stars. We should be mindful of the economic state of the country and be modest in our intentions and expectations.
• In Germany/South Africa, there were a lot of Ghanaians around who could have been organised by the embassies to serve the same purpose.
• The Supporters’ Group should be creative enough to seek sponsorship and other means to generate resources to undertake the trips with no or little cost to the State.
• In most countries, Supporters and Groups work on saving and insurance schemes for the four year period to enable them to be at tournaments.
• All concerned should accept football as business, and as such, all participants, be they management, administrative, technical staff, athletes and supporters should observe it as such.
• The FA and the Ministry of Sports should install an Independent Oversight body to execute fashioned modalities of the exercise. It should have defined structures and of which appointments are based on determined experience, qualification, to assignments among other considerations.
• The beneficiaries should work towards the growth and sustainability of the tournament; and ensure accountability, transparency and probity measures in place.
• Breach of any of the tenets should be dealt with swiftly by the appropriate authority through determined legal system, without any interference from the authorities that are.
6. There is an urgency to revisit the attitude of the state of mind of operatives in the exercise. It demands a shift from conservative and overreliance on worn out practices and the position of “this is how it is done” syndrome and
• move into the arena of modern practices which are calculated to move the game forward.
• Shy away from mercenary posture of seeking mouth watering financial rewards for services rendered. The FA’s operatives are volunteers and should be seen as such however with appreciable reward.
• consideration should be given to the acceptable disbursement package of all inflows the Black Stars coffers and it should be noted that the exercise of team building is an ongoing exercise.. For instance, reward dimension of 25% should be adopted; and for 75% to be used as per the FIFA dictates and others. Simply, the resources are meant to grow and develop the game.
• be mindful of Kalusha Bwalya’s, President of Zambian Football Association, assertion that if you want to go far in football management you best have to have other business interests since the football management is not money making profession in Africa as at now. Primarily one does it for the love of it.
7. More often, Managers of the team lose grip on some of the players which make others to think that such players are untouchable and can flout the rules with disdain and nothing happens to them. Break down of discipline, naturally leads to distasteful consequences in the teams efforts.
• To manage this issue critically, the FA should spell out the expected standards of behavior from the players and the others in pursuit of their responsibilities. This is known as a Code of Conduct or Ethics. It sets up standard of socially acceptable behavior and awareness of right and wrong doing for one’s continued membership of the team; with corresponding sanctions which should be applied without fear or favour.
• Players and those concerned should be informed of the contents and basis for such offer; you sign it or leave it. Under no circumstances should the FA be blackmailed into stampeding to accept inordinate requests from players.
• The patriotic fervor for service, of a player, to his country should be enforced; and realistic target should be determined and rewarded on its attainment.
8. The FA should be seen beyond preparing financial estimates of national teams for government’s attention, presiding over disbursement, assembling players for international matches, generating unnecessary controversies over players and other disciplinary issues.
The FA’s core objectives should be pursued within the holistic framework of organization, development and promotion of the game towards growth and sustainability on the local scene which should include:
• promotion of youth development programme meant to unearth and develop football talents through schools and colleges, football academies and schools of excellence.
• to develop the Premier League, the flagship product of the FA into enviable height. Is it not shameful that out of a 23 man contingent to AFCON 2015 only one player is from the Premier League?
• to work on the competency of the technical development of coaches, referees and others with the view to sharpening their capacity: and aim at producing large source of capable and exciting players on regular basis and for national services. This system will create a platform for hungry players on the local front to prove a point. No longer will foreign professionals be able to look down on the home based counterparts.
• consideration should be given to Linkage modalities between the U17s, U20s, U23 or Local Black Stars and the Senior Black Stars to ensure continuity in developing and promoting of a player from one level to the other. It is a measure to have a regular and systematic flow of players along the levels.
• there should be a succession plan for replacing players who are aging, who could not make it because of injury and or could not fit into the play pattern of a level.
• to mentor clubs to move into Business Development lane.
By all indications, the FA needs the support from the government to source for funds from corporate bodies and others to enable it to execute its core objectives aforementioned.
“Throw out your assumptions, take several steps back and give yourself the benefit of a new perspective”
