GHANA FOOTBALL AND COVID-19, THE WAY FORWARD.

MY TAKE: GPL AND COVID-19.

The global pandemic, Covid-19 continues to wreck havoc in all aspects of our daily lives and all sections of the economy.

Sports in general and association football in particular has been greatly hit.

The major leagues in the world such as the English Premiership, German Bundesliga, Italian Serie A, French Ligue 1 amongst others have all not been spared.

The top-flight league here in Ghana is still in a limbo, whether to  continue or discontinue the season.

The executive council of the GFA and all the relevant stakeholders have been deliberating on this pressing concern to see the way forward for our domestic football.

It must be pointed out that it is not only the so-called football people who have been hit hard.

The fans, players, coaches, media, refeeres, sachet water sellers, newspaper vendors, the waakye sellers, the groundsmen and other individuals who are directly or indirectly connected to football have all experienced a fair share of the challenges posed by COVID-19.

Some will argue that the health ramifications may be too severe to handle if the suspension on the league is lifted.

The French Ligue 1 for example has officially drawn down the curtains on their league and declared their champions whiles the Bundesliga intends to resume on 5th May, 2020.

There is a popular saying 'You cut your coat according to your cloth' and Ghana, I think must take decisions based on our perculiar situation.

In an interview on TV3, the spokesperson for the FA, Henry Asante Twum made it clear that they have officially notified the Confederation of African Football(CAF) that they(GFA) cannot take a decision without adhering to the directives from government as CAF were seeking clarity on Ghana's situation.

"We have given CAF an update and we have requested for two weeks by which time we will come up with a firm plan and decision going forward. "

VARYING OPINIONS.
In an interview monitored by mybssports.blogspot.com on Asempa FM, the General Manager of Accra Great Olympics, Mr Oloboi Commodore posited that the league should not be cancelled for fear of possible legal battles.

"I side with the people who say we shouldn't cancel the league because it will bring legal issues unless that is the only way we can resolve our issues " said Mr Commodore.

His views were echoed by Former Ashgold CEO, Mr Kudjoe Fianoo who was of a firm belief that it was too early to call for the termination of the league , in an interview with Kumasi FM.

"This is not the time to think about terminating the league", he said.

Even with that, all stakeholders need to be consulted to reach a concensus before finally agreeing to call the season off " Mr Fianoo said.

In a sharp contrast to the views expressed by Commodore and Fianoo, respected medical practitioner,  Dr. Prince Pamboe said, "The Corona virus being a dangerous pandemic has caused many sicknesses and deaths in a short time over the world."

"All major events have been called off or postponed including the major sports leagues and the 2020 Olympic Games."

Clearly, Dr Pamboe is proceeding on the side of caution and it is understandable because he is in the 'kitchen'.

It remains to be seen if the suspension of the league which took effect on 16th March, 2020 will be lifted or otherwise.

To conclude, let it be known that, what ever the verdict is, it must be in the collective national interest.


 [Story by Vigour Edem Vigor]



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