Kudjo Fianoo
WANNABE president of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Kudjoe Fianoo, has embossed his intentions to the mast as he campaigns to make the Premier League Board (PLB) self-governing, if elected into office.
The autonomous body, he said, would be a registered subsidiary under the GFA and run within the regulations of the association.
Mr Fianoo told the Times Sports yesterday that a sovereign PLB would be in full charge of its own funding of the league; generate ample income for the overall development and promotion of the game, taking into consideration adequate remuneration for players and officials.
“This new body will be run separated from the GFA with their office of operation different from the GFA,” he asserted.
The former AshantiGold Chief Executive, who now leads the Ghana League Clubs Association (GHALCA), observed that since there was only a thin line between the Premier and Division One Leagues, the latter would be restructured to make it attractive to sponsors.
“Currently, the gap between the Premier and Division is a bit too wide and we need to bridge it whilst making sure too that the lower leagues are not left out. Indeed, the Regional Football Associations (RFAs) will be given the required tools to run the lower leagues.
“Colts football will also be afforded a new lease of life to serve as the conveyer belt to produce the talents to enrich our game.”
According to Fianoo, who was the Welfare Officer when the Black Starlets (national U-17male team) first won the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Italy, women football will play a key role in his administration “as women football is on the rise across the globe and Ghana cannot be left behind.”
He also said special attention would be given to officiating with referees, match commissioners and referees assessors well placed to give the game a clean sheet, warning that his administration “will not be a safe haven for corrupt match officials.”
Mr Fianoo asserted that the only way to win back the confidence of all the stakeholders of the game is for one to make integrity the hallmark of one’s administration, “and that’s what will never depart from me.”
In 2014, King Faisal dragged the GFA to court to challenge their demotion from the Ghanaian top flight, culminating in months of legal wrangling that delayed the start of the league.
Only last year, Accra Great Olympics also hauled the GFA to court after the former accused the latter of taking an entrenched position in dealing with the protest brought against Elmina Sharks FC. Olympics wanted the GFA to relegate Elmina Sharks and re-instate them or expand the league to 18 teams to accommodate them.
In his view, adjudicating bodies like the Disciplinary, Appeal and Review Committees would be designed to work within stipulated time-lines to avoid delays. “The issue of sole judges will be considered. Protracted court cases between clubs and the GFA will be resolved amicably between the parties.”
The GHALCA boss stated that his administration would provide maximum security for match officials in the discharge of their duties, stressing that a very efficient and functional Referees Department of the GFA will be one of his priorities.
An apostle of good football, he said he was going to make sure the Ghanaian game “sparkles on the pitch.”
“It is only good pitches and safe environments that can make our football attractive and that is one area I will be looking at. Our implementation of the Club Licensing process has not been the best and I will call for its acceleration without placing so much pressure on the clubs,” he added.
The experienced football administrator said he was poised to build a mutual and cordial relationship with Government in the development of Ghana’s national teams, when elected into office.
King Faisal boss Alhaji Karim Gruzah, former vice-president of the GFA, Fred Pappoe, Tema Youth CEO, Wilfred Kweku Osei (Palmer) and Phar Rangers CEO, Nana Yaw Amponsah, are also contesting for the FA seat that has become vacant following the resignation of the incumbent Kwesi Nyantakyi, on June 8, last year.
The elections are tentatively set for next month.
The veteran football administrator, who heads the Ghana League Clubs Association (GHALCA), is among a list of personalities who have indicated they will run for elections to succeed for GFA boss, Kwesi Nyantakyi, when the football association goes to congress in the coming months to elect a new executive committee and a replacement for its longstanding president.
Mr Nyantakyi resigned last July and was subsequently handed a lifetime ban by FIFA for violating the world body’s code of ethics.
BY JOHN VIGAH
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