Over the weekend,our writer and head of sports,Enock Sakyi attended a division two game of Ghana's football. He shares his vivid experience here.
Enock says,
On Sunday,19th February 2023, I went to Pokuase Adusa Quaters park to watch a fixture of Ghana's division two league between Sharp Arrows and Wise XI.Welcome to my experience.
ON THE MATCH
It was an fierce game. Personally one of the best games I have watched in my life. Despite the bad nature of the pitch, it was obvious the players kicking the ball are real talents. Game ended goalless thanks to brilliant saves from both keepers. It's a game I would love to watch all over again if I had the chance.
OFFICIATING
One of the big issues we've had as a football nation has always been officiating. Only God knows when and how it will end but if what I saw from the young officiating team on Sunday is anything to go by,then, officiating is not as bad as we think in this country. 10 out of 10.
ATTENDANCE
I'm not sure any fixture in the division two league last Sunday pulled as many spectators than what I saw on Sunday. Look,make no mistake,people still love our football. They really do! There are people that love their community teams and are impatient to see them do well. Unfortunately,the people at the head of the pyramid keep making the football unattractive, not really my issue today. Another time.
REACTIONS AFTERMATH
After the game,i saw the honest disappointment of the Sharp Arrows players. The draw means they have now won just once in their last ten games. The fans probably even felt worse than the players.
For many of them who can't follow the team to away trips,they feel their team is not doing enough to even make them smile at home.
I saw a lot of people gathered in groups venting their anger and frustrations. It was obvious they supported Sharp arrows,the home team because the away team had left. I took risks and joined some of them who didn't know i was a sports journalist.
What i heard was wrecking. Most of them complained about how bad the Sharp Arrows club is sinking because of improper management by the club president.
They expressed their disappointments at how the club president keeps denying the players opportunities when teams comes in for them.
Worst of it all is that, none of the sharp arrows has a personal manager or has a contract with Sharp arrrows. Top make matters even more hurtful,these boys don't get paid.
So,they play out of their passion,their love for football and the community. So I asked, if someone sacrifices himself for nothing, how long can the person do it for?
No lies, football has evolved and there's a business aspect to it. You make money from player transfers to run a football club. I'm not saying sell every player while you seek promotion to the top of Ghana's football rankings but there should be a motivation for players to play football.
To continue,my outmost respect goes to the players who play football for nothing. I will in the coming days have personal interviews with some of the players and the club president to confirm some of the stories.
There are a lot of stories like these on players being denied opportunities to play at the top level to fend for themselves and families not just with Sharp Arrows.
In the coming days, we will through Sports Xentral and Goal.com bring alot of these issues to light and get them resolved but until then i say to every player, get a manager, sign a contract and be professional. Talent is expensive!
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