In my opinion, one of the most ridiculous arguments posited against Ghanaian clubs, particularly Asante Kotoko SC in more recent history (since it’s the only football club left in this country doing anything remotely close to being a football club) for participating in continental competitions is that, among other things, it’s NOT PROFITABLE!
Which of the domestic competitions is ‘profitable’ again? The GHPL or the FA cup?
As a football club, you exist to compete. It’s as simple as that. You’re not a singing band like a certain club would have us believe they’ve become since they last challenged for anything of worth both domestically and on the continent. It’s almost as if they were, as part of their last Africa title conquest, barred from future competitions, or perhaps the competition(s) suffered a cessation at the instant of their last impressive season.
For whatever it’s worth, their fans have found a calling in being about Asante Kotoko SC in the most flattering of ways while gloating in a never-ending charade of reminding us of the mathematical recency of their glorious past compared to Kotoko’s. ‘Limao’.
Before I lose track of my thoughts, let’s get back to the matter. Shall we?!
Manning any club profitably as a business entity is a direct function of excellence in corporate governance; the pivot of which is human capital/resources and the quality thereof. It is why Asante Kotoko SC must be preoccupied with attracting talents as good as Uniliver Ghana or Ecobank Ghana would.
It is why we hire the caliber of Dr. KK Sarpong and not Yaw Sakyere of Mankraso however the depth of his pocket because that’d just be wastefulness in waiting. It is the reason why we do NOT need loud-mouthed journalists feathering peoples’ ‘behinds’ for whatever comes out of it as favors in order for such persons to ascend to positions at the club only to wallow in the nothingness of their tenures but rather, offering a backing, financially, and a sound working environment to individuals with clear, SMART goals and demonstrated plans on reaching those goals. After all, we just want to see measured success.
It is also why Manhyia’s posturing and oversight need a reformation of its own as the sole owner of the club. It is too trusting or downright carefree of the fortunes of the club. I can’t quite decide which is closer to factual.
If you don’t understand, in 2021, that the club as an entity can and must grow independently and ahead of any sustainable gains, including the establishment of more sustained, diverse streams of income, then I don’t know how to help you.
Of course, it’d be equally untenable to suggest the absence of a correlation between team performance and club growth but there exists a certain threshold beyond which a club must be able to hold its own, despite a relative lack of success on the field.
Wonni sika a, wonni sika. If you withdraw from any competition, it must reflect the simple fact that ‘wo nni wɛ’. It is not a matter of choice because you clearly have none. Excusing the lack of player quality and the profitability of the competition is sheer nonsense because neither has a direct impact on your chances of success.
If you qualify for ‘Tontrowa Cup’ as a football club, compete for it. It is why you exist. It is also why Abena Agyeiwaa Cup rightfully has a shrine built for it at Asylum Down Barcelona. (Stay with me. Don’t lose the essence of my thoughts).
Happy New Year.
Fabu!
Nyfa Kotokovski 