GFA proposes $70,000 for Media Relations

The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has proposed a budgetary allocation of 70,000 dollars for Media Relations for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa.

The huge figure further adds to the several holes being punched into the budget submitted by the football governing body to the Ministry of Youth and Sports for review and consideration last week.

According to the budget chanced upon by GNA Sports, the GFA has penciled down the throat-choking five-figure sum, 70,000 dollars on just Media Relations.

This is contrary to reports that the GFA has yet to perform any such act that amounts to Media Relations at a major tournament. However, Media Relations continues to be a regular feature in the budget for such major tournaments especially with the Black Stars.

Globally acclaimed search engine, Wikipedia defines Media Relations as “working with various media for the purpose of informing the public of an organization's mission, policies and practices in a positive, consistent and credible manner.

“Typically, this means coordinating directly with the people responsible for producing the news and features in the mass media.”

The aftermath of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa popularized the term ‘media relations’ after then Minister of Youth and Sports, Ms. Akua Sena Dansua revealed that 50,000 dollars was earmarked for that purpose.

The sporting media was up in arms with the Sports Ministry and the GFA after the 50,000 dollars revelation following concerns from the personnel that no such activity occurred at the event generating massive brouhaha weeks unending after the competition.

Another interesting revelation in the proposed budget is Entertainment which has been pegged at 5,000 dollars. There were no further explanations to that point, GNA Sports gathers Joseph Langabel, Chief Drummer of the Black Stars provided some form of stress-free drumming and dancing to the team during last year’s tournament in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.

Other notable additions are 5,000 dollars for the Extra Physiotherapist for the team, 5,000 dollars each for three proposed security men and 8,000 dollars each for the Team Liaison Officer and Psychologist.

Another official tagged ‘Team Administrator’ will be entitled to 10,000 dollars.

The total budget for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations stands at 7,728,158 dollars, of which 1,064,900 is for the training camp in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates from 7-16 January next year.