Final Black Stars squad in January
Accra (Greater Accra) 16 November 2001 - Mr Edward Osei-Kwaku, Minister of Youth and Sports, said on Thursday that his ministry would give equal attention to all sports disciplines that were registered under the National Sports Council (NSC).
"It is not going to be a ministry for football, but sports, including all the disciplines so that they will all be developed," he said.
Speaking at his maiden meeting with the staff of the NSC, the minister said he would not consider his position at the ministry as a "hot seat" because all the ministries have their problems, adding that a lot depended on the approach given to the problems.
Mr Osei-Kwaku added that he was aware of the numerous problems of the various sports associations, especially with facilities, and he would approach them with all the seriousness they deserved. He appealed to the staff to be committed and avoid lukewarm attitude to work so that they would all achieve the needed success.
On the preparation of the Black Stars for the African Nations Cup, the Minister said they would not leave things to the eleventh hour as had been the practice and that all efforts were being made to ensure the Stars' victory. Mr Osei-Kwaku earlier visited the National Youth Leadership Training Institute at Afienya where he interacted with the members of staff and some of the students.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 16 November 2001 - Mr Amadou Tanko, former legal counsel for the Ghana Football Association (GFA), has proposed the reconstitution of the FA’s Disciplinary Committee as a means of tickling the football fraternity to develop a new perception about the national football governing body.
In an interview with the GNA Sports, Mr Tanko said he would prefer the Disciplinary Committee to be made up three lawyers, recommended by the Ghana Bar Association (GBA), who have the interest, time and commitment for the game to the present set up which has five members who are mostly not lawyers.
As things stand now it is only the chairman of the Committee who is doing the legal interpretation of the statutes because he is the only legal brain on the committee and that is not good enough.
"When the committee is made of lawyers put forward by the GBA they would be compelled to defend not only their own reputation, but also that of the professional body which nominated them and this would give people the confidence to seek redress at the GFA instead of going to court."
Mr Tanko said even though FIFA and other international football governing bodies frown at legal proceedings in settling football matters, it is still legal to do so in Ghana because all laws are interpreted within the ambit of the constitution.
He said Article 3 of the GFA statutes, which states that "the FA shall in the exclusion of any other association, body or authority, but subject to the laws of the Republic of Ghana, control the administration, development and promotion of amateur, non amateur and professional football in Ghana," permits legal proceedings in matters affecting football.
He said it is a good sign that most litigation, are now being channeled through the disciplinary committee instead of other means that would bring the game into disrepute.
"Even though it might not be ideal for a club to win a match on the field and lose it on technicalities in the boardroom, that is the law and there is nothing anybody can do"
Mr Tanko said the delay in the adjudications of many of the cases portray negative perception about the game, citing a recent ruling by FIFA when United Arab Emirates protested against Iran.
About a fortnight ago FIFA ruled in favour of Iran within 24 hours after UAE had protested against the nationality of an Iranian player. He said FIFA's prompt ruling on the issue calmed nerves and allowed Iran to proceed and honour their play-offs with Ireland, thus preventing unnecessary tension and acrimony.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 16 November 2001 - Mr Fred Osam Duodu, head coach of the senior national soccer team, the Black Stars, has indicated that his final squad for the Mali CAN 2002 competition would only be known after going through the friendlies lined up for the team.
He said, he will concentrate mostly on new faces of the team to study their suitability in terms of their tactical discipline among others.
Speaking to The Ghanaian Times, Coach Duodu, debunked rumours making the rounds that he has picked his final squad of 14 foreign based and eight locals for the competition. According the man who started romancing with the senior national team as far back as 1978, personal contacts with some of the players and their coaches are being made to ascertain some facts in connections with their play and availability.
He disclosed that, some of the old guards whom he new would be invited to camp next month to go through the final selection exercise alongside the new faces before naming the squad. “It is an open method which will give all having equal chances to all,” he added.
Coach Osam-Duodu, therefore said, by merely picking a player for one or two friendlies beginning December against Algeria, does not make it automatic for that player to play in Mali. “I have the assurance that all the foreign-based players as well as the locals would all be on holidays by December 22,” he said.
On the issue of when he will announce the squad, Mr Duodu, who took over from Mr Cecil Jones Attuquayefio, said the final 22 would be picked from 26 in camp by the end of the first week of January.
“After that I hope to have at least a week acclimatization in Mali before kick-off of their group opener,” he said.
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