GFA presidential hopeful surprised at Executive Committee decision on elections
An FA Presidential hopeful Neil Armstrong Mortagbe has expressed surprise at the FA Executive Committee’s decision to hold the Presidential elections before that of the Regional Football Association.
Mr. Armstrong says he has referred the matter to his legal team since it’s difficult to understand the rationale behind the decision.
The 10 Regional Football Associations (RFA) have a total of 30 votes at congress and it was expected that the RFA elections will proceed that of the presidential race but some legal experts say the FA constitution does not clearly define the election timetable.
The Executive Committee, the body which has the power to determine the election timetable, at its meeting two weeks ago approved plans to stage the Presidential race on April 28, 2011 before the RFAs would take their turns in May and June.
In an interview Neil Armstrong Mortagbe said he respects the decision of the Executive Committee but feels they should take a second look at the situation.
“I was surprised knowing the sequence that we had seen in the first instance,” he said adding that “the Executive Committee and some reps of the FA have been at pains to explain why that sequence was arranged.”
“For me I’m a football person through and through, the executive committee has a mandate to determine the date for the elections and the modalities for the elections. They have so determined.”
The 42-year-old club administrator also explained that he is taking the new development seriously and has tasked his team to analyse the situation.
“I have referred the matter to my legal team of my campaign to see if there is any way we can discuss with the FA and understand the rationale behind why it so and also make a case why it should be anything else.
“But even as things stand now, I believe that my presentation, my programme, my passion, the spirit behind this declaration and campaign can still win me through the Electoral College.”
The FIFA Marketing Consultant and Instructor also used the occasion to announce his decision to resign from his post as Treasurer of the Ghana League Clubs Association in order to be eligible to contest the top FA post since GHALCA rules debars executive members from running for the job.
The 42-year-old’s campaign manifesto which primarily focuses on the importance of developing grassroots football is under the theme “Reaping where we have sown: the cry of the Ghanaian Football Investor: A call to duty.”
Mr. Mortagbe says it will be his vision to transform the brand of Ghana Football into one of the most attractive and sought after Football Brands in the World and ensure that all investors and stakeholders of the game receive a due return on their investment.
The former Chairman of the National Chapters Committee of Accra Hearts of Oak is also confident of winning the race saying he would not have stood for the post if he knew he will not win.
But observers believe that the task to depose the incumbent President Kwesi Nyantakyi will be daunting considering the achievements and the status Mr. Nyantakyi has within the football fraternity and more importantly the Electoral College.
However, Neil Armstrong is unperturbed.
“The FA sees me as a threat. Within days of my announcing my candidacy, three strong cases about my eligibility were brought up, and then the Executive Committee announced the date for congress.”
“I believe my team and I have a message that is compelling enough to win this election even with the current composition and even with the current modalities that have been announced by the Executive Committee.
Neil Armstrong, who previously served in various capacities with Accra Hearts of Oak within a fifteen year period, is currently the club President of Accra based division two side Apex United.
Neil Armstrong has received some rave reviews after throwing his hat in the ring for the FA post last week and he is hoping the electoral system will be fair.
“Of course anybody going into an election will want a fair system and that is why I keep on talking about FIFA warning against discrimination.
“It’s one of the things that the guys are looking into and if for instance they look at the discrimination clause and say that this decision by the Exco discriminates against anybody, it will be raised first of all at the GFA because we must go through the system; we are football people and we are working in football.
“There is a grievance procedure we have to go through.
“But if the legal committee feels there is nothing wrong, then we will get the show on the road.”
By Erasmus Kwaw