Re-positioning Black star ready for 2010 World Cup Football

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I published the above article on the 3 July 2006 on ghanaweb.com due to the frustration many of us had here watching the 2006 World Cup. However analysing the outcome of that game it was pretty certain that we were to brilliant on the day for a show down.

It appeared the Ghana Football Association failed to recognise the potential of the multi-billion-dollar business deal football in the global arena. Most of the talents of former Black Star players are not even using their talents and skills in training camps to keep them fit and active.

I did highlight the need for the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to focus on generating more funds to train and develop more youths. This is because most of are youth who had the love for football but many do not get the opportunity their counterparts get in Europe.

Football training cost is soaring high yet in Ghana there is hardly any money readily and even earmarked to tackle this daunting challenge. It is 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.

Right now 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 we 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, curtains, and paper napkins and would be wise to names of our squad on it. Also table cloths, kitchen towels, flower vase etc in the Ghana National colours for sale to tourists and ourselves as memorabilia. This should be on going business opportunity for entrepreneurs.

Building up to the next month have 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 remind people.

Encouraging all travelling agencies in Ghana and Europe need display to follow photos of our players would enhance our publicity.

It is great to currently see the sale of 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.

This is an effective way of promoting Ghana in a positive way.

World is our oyster and the wants to know more about each player. 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 massive opportunities medium to large for any organisation to capture with marketing initiatives.

Ghana must had managed to grasp this wonderful opportunity and in so doing re-position itself on the global map of football.

Thumbs up for former chairman of GFA, Dr Nyaho Nyaho Tamakloe, challenging at times yet have vision about the wider aspect of Football. Nevertheless, this vision paved way for his successor to further advance in strategies, which is helping GFA. Secondly the knock on effect GFA has had is impacted on a boost for tourism in Ghana.

Currently our Black players are renowned global footballer, we have the support from FIFA and we are flaunting our skills to the whole wide world.

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 and brisk passing essential toolkit..

As I sat down to write immediately after the World Cup 2006, I was unable aware where the way would come from to transform Ghana Football Association.

Ghana expects only tpo have a mere 100% commitments from all the Black star squad in June and winning is the World Cup is the only option the squad have.

May God be with you all.