Ghana Leagues: why it is unappreciated by majority of Ghanaians?.
I was walking oneday along the beach and I saw some kids(local kids) playing soccer on the beach and other players training to keep fit. This took place in Chorkor, a town in Greater Accra. I presume most of you(Ghanaians) know Chorkor but mind you they have got good and quality player who needs to be supported or shown to the world. I begin to pounder why Ghana have so much talents but all of these doesnt seem to be put in use. Even these talents are not supported or given any opportunity to exhibit them. Sports in Ghana seems not to be shown any interest by majority of Ghanaians but I will be focusing on soccer for now. I mean our local leagues and players, amenities and our talents here.
As we all know soccer(as we Ghanaians call it football) is known and practised everywhere. Thus, globally practiced. For my knowledge everything or anything a country does or seems to be practised by its membera. So as with soccer, every country has a soccer league which seems to interest all citizens and even foriegners. Some leagues like English Premier, Bundesliga, Laliga and the other European leagues seems to be followed by most Ghanaians, if not all(98%). Either the 2% left are female who do not like soccer or kids. Even old people or the blind who will not show interest in sports.
But what actually got me thinking is that, why do we show so much interest in European leagues and players and ignore our local Ghanaian leagues and players. Perharps they do have their reasons but I also do have my own reasons. Our local leagues does not seem to interest some Ghanaians because there is a lack of sporting infrastracture, funds, media hyping and player selections.
An example is with our stadia. You can see from above how that staduim looks, not even seats for the fans or even any facilities to equip the game play. There are some professional soccer teams in Ghana with such poor structured stadia, no dressing room or even a team bus. Those days where Ghana use to have dominant teams which usually interests Ghanaians whenever they are playing. Accra Hearts of Oak and Kumasi Asante Kotoko, these teams where the dominant teams amongs the rest. But now the joy and zeal fans used to have whenever they play have beeen wiped out. Hence, no one showing interest in that league anymore. Professional teams will be playing and there will be no fans to cheer the teams up and this means majority of Ghanaians do not show interest in the local league.
Unlike the European league where players are hyped by the media is not like how players in Ghana are hyped by the media. Players are paid well and catered for in the European societies but in Ghana here is not the same. Players are not paid well and even their well being seems to be an issue . Let imagine this, if the players here are paid well then why isnt Asamoah Gyan playing for our local teams, Dede Ayew or Jordan.? Or even will Messi, Isco, Cavani and the others opt to play in the Ghana premier league.? No!!. And that is the gospel fact.
Our local leagues are not funded by the government or even if it is funded then the funds are not being used properly. The government needs to put more funds into the league to ensure a proper salary given to players, officials and to acquire more equipments. Also, there are good players who are in our local communities that needs help or that needs to shine and be given a chance but all seems to be in the hands of those who have money to influence who should play and who shouldnt play. Or who should be picked in the team or who should be dropped. And when all these are happening or happened, why would one still have interest in such a league. Just make a reference to Anas' undercover video about the GFA. And you will understand!! Even Southafrica, Egypt and co have gone far with their leagues. Why us?
It is only in Ghana that, investors pay money to influence the game play, bench a player or drop a player. This is one of the reasons why majority of Ghanains dont show interest in our local leagues. Mind you, there are investors and sponsorship that are funding the local leagues but there is no change or improvement. The leagues have been the same till now.
Guys i dont know how you see our Ghana Premier league but for me that is how i see it.