I published re the above article on the 3 July 2006 on ghanaweb due to the frustration many of us went through after watching the 2006 World Cup. However, critically analysing the outcome of that match the hurdles we had to overcome became even clearer. Ghana the Black star squad lacked the critical skills necessary for a shown down.
It appeared the Ghana Football Association (GFA) might have failed to recognise the potential of the multi-billion-dollar business deal football in the global arena. The our squad were not offered special training camps to keep them fit and active for the crucial match.
I did highlight the need for the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to focus on generating on getting more funds to train and develop the youths. This is because most of the youths do love football but many do not get the opportunity their counterparts in Europe get. Some of the talents of former Black Star players have to been exploited to maximise other teaching methods that could have fed into younger players. For example, talents of Seidu Anas and others could have prolonged to enhance the confidence and potential in the Football arena. Given that before 2006 our Black star players were not were not aggressive enough to be seizing the moment at all.
Football training cost is soaring high yet in Ghana there is hardly any money readily or earmarked to tackle this daunting challenge. It is not surprising to see the FIFA supporting Ghana Football Association perhaps they have now realised Ghana potential. Hence our squad are currently using the facilities at CDFAS, Eaubonne in France, a sports and recreation academy.
This supports is necessary this time round as this is our chance to victory and for all of us to be lifting the Black Star flag is high and exploring money generating initiatives.
I ‘m sure that with GFA and the Government working in partnership on marketing strategies and workable business plans we would be the world-class footballers in Africa and Europe.
Our Airport are the gateway to Africa. However have not considered having huge posters of John Mensah, Stephen Appiah, Michael Essien and others would boost our tourism initiatives and economic aspirations.
The Golden Tree Chocolate needs to be re-branded to have photos of the players on the chocolates. An opportunity we can’t ignore. Ghana needs to bend with the wind.
I see we have own footballs, trainers and adding on paper napkins and plates etc with the Stars to be used in restaurants; planes, parties and other memorabilia. This would create jobs and at the same time be a promotional tool for Ghana. We are seeing the sale of T-shirts, flags, pencils, rubbers, and art & craft souvenirs using photos players. This is raising our profile of not only our special football players but also Ghana.
Building up to the next month have we chosen certain players whose faces we will be seeing on our stamps, mugs, posters, plate mats etc?
The towns and villages where the Black Stars players originally come from may need to have photos of their hero in their local University, Secondary Schools, Primary schools, Libraries.
Community centres perhaps need to be named after key players. Anything to link the players to a town or cities or villages is crucial.
Ghana has so many Embassies around the world why don’t we display huge photos of our players in their foyers to increase our stance in the world?
Encouraging all travelling agencies in Ghana and Europe need display to follow photos of our players would also give us a advantage and also enhance our publicity.
This is an effective way of promoting Ghana in a positive way.
The World is our oyster and as such the world would like to know more about each players. It would be great to sell the rags to riches stories about some the players to inspire and bring hope to the youth globally.
The biographies of the players could bring in extra cash for the training funds and other developments.
It is a pity we do not have a “Madam Tussaud” like Museum in Ghana. What stops us from having one though?
It is about time Ghana have its own Madam Tussand where the youths could be trained in the making of plaster casts or mud statues of the players etc thus creating jobs for idle hands.
The schools in which the players attended may need a make over just in case the world would like to trace the footsteps of our squad. I do hope the Minister for Education is addressing this.
There is a huge opportunities for any business to capture with marketing initiatives.
The GFA and Ghanaians entrepreneurs must grasp this wonderful opportunity in order to us to re-position itself on the global map of football.
In general we often fail to recognise the visionary aspect of certain people within our communities and rather knock them down at the slightest opportunity. However, I am sure the GFA will give thumbs up to former chairman of GFA, Dr Nyaho Nyaho Tamakloe, who challenged the GFA to rethink about the wider aspect of Ghana’s Football prospect. It is now becoming evident that this has paved way for his successor to further advance in strategies based on his vision. This extended role of the chairman is benefiting Ghana’s football thus having globally a boost for tourism. It pays to think outside the box.
Currently our Black players are renowned global footballers, we have the support from FIFA and we are flaunting our skills to the whole wide world. Many top club in Europe wants our players.
Ghana as a nation is capturing the Euphoria Black Star is given to us. Our vibrant colours of the national flag are increasing differentiating us among the crowd.
The World cup is ours! However winning it demands all our strategic football tactics and manoeuvres. For example, thinking on the spot but reacting more decisively with brisk passing, seizing the moment are all some tips in the essential football toolkit.
As I sat down to write after the World Cup 2006, I was unaware that one day Ghana Football Association would be transformed like a top premier FA just like a top FA in Europe.
Ghana expects only to have a mere 100% commitment from all the Black Star squad this June and winning the World Cup is our only option.
Back to my heading of this article, I can now confidently say that Ghana is ready for World Cup 2010 in South Africa and win it we will.
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