Parliament to investigate Black Stars’ poor performance
The First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Mr Joseph Osei-Owusu, has directed the Committee on Youth and Sports to investigate the poor performance of the Black Stars, which led to their early exit from the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cameroon.
The Committee is also expected to come out with a report as to what resulted in the abysmal performance of the national team for the House’s consideration.
The directive by the First Deputy Speaker follows a statement by Mr Kobena Woyome, the Ranking Member on the Youth and Sports Committee, and contributions made by members on the floor concerning the Black Stars performance.
He mentioned four factors, which had affected Ghana football such as poor management, coach selection, poor player selection, and poor coordination of pre-tournament activities.
Mr Woyome called for a critical look at sports development in Ghana as whole if the country was to make an impact in international tournaments and also seen as a “sports nation,” adding that government must initiate an agenda for holistic sports development.
“Mr Speaker, for us to see a positive turn around in Ghana’s football and giving the central role of sports in national development, and in fostering national unity, there is the need for the Government to, as a matter of urgency, initiate a process for a holistic sports development agenda that adopts short to long term approaches…”
Mr Patrick Boamah, MP for Okaikoi South and Deputy Chairman of the Finance Committee, called for an investigation into player selection to the national team, which, he said, was fraught with challenges and did not provide the best of players for the Black Stars.
He said player discipline was another concern, which led to their poor performance and early exist from the tournament.
He said sports administrators were taking cover from FIFA’s provision that government could not interfere in football administration yet they depend on government for money and sponsorship.
The Sports Minister, Mustapha Ussif, who sought to clarify issues, said prior to the 2021 AFCON, a Presidential Fundraising for corporate entities was launched to solicit support for the Black Stars in the AFCON and the World Cup, if they qualified.
He said the target was to raise $25 million but only two million dollars was realised.
He said Ghanaians were disappointed in the poor performance of the Black Stars and expressed the hope that measures would be put in place to improve their game.
Source: GNA