The huge GDP contribution of sports to the world’s income cannot be overstated. There are no handy statistics or data on the quantum, but it is widely acknowledged that it is one of the leading enterprises that employs a lot of people and is also well paying. But since COVID-19 descended on the world, there appears to be a health war everywhere in the world.

This war has no visible fighters or armed forces but is attacking almost everybody without regard to class, age and status. Prominent leagues like the Premier League, La Liga and Serie A have collapsed. Famous and entertaining players like Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Mohammed Salah have been sent on involuntary rest thus rendering many stadia empty with locked gates.

Again, COVID-19 has attacked and killed thousands of people, especially in Asia and Europe, although Africa cannot be seen as spared. So far, Ghana has been affected. But as a protective measure, we have followed the rest of the world and suspended football, church services, congregated Muslim prayers many other social activities. Our football is under siege. Offices of the GFA have been closed. Football related jobs and incomes are gone.
Our referees who practise the trade as hobbies have joined the suspension of football.

The Kurt Okraku led GFA has gradually revived our football with appreciable gate fees that have brought the smiles back to club owners and their players.

But it is advisable that the suspension period of our league should serve as a time of re-appraisal of our league. The referees and match commissioners were complaining silently about the non-payment of their allowances.

And when rumours went around that payments were being made, it turned out to be payment of peanuts with some referees getting nothing, because of mixed-up account numbers. In the past, there were no problems in the payment of referee allowances anytime the GFA had the funds. We are in a new regime which has introduced some far-reaching changes likes “zero contact” with team owners and their agents.

But any new changes must be better for the game. The new system, which exposes the names and bank account numbers to the public, does not conform to decency. It is only people who seek or virtually beg for money who are forced to publicise their account numbers.

“No contact with club owners” should be applied to the full. It is my hope that the referees and the match commissioners will be promptly paid when the league resumes. Referees and match commissioners should not be starved of their legitimately-earned allowances. It is dangerous and is an invitation to seek money from un-approved sources including club owners.