President for Tema Youth Football Club, Wilfred Osei Kwaku, popularly known in the media circles as “Osei Palmer” says it is not a good time for the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to commence the implementation of the autonomous league as clubs and corporate organizations are still dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic.
The GFA recently announced it has begun the process to implement the policy on making the GPL autonomous.
A statement from the FA read, “The Executive Council of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) has taken a decision to make the Ghana Premier League autonomous.
“In light of this decision, the Executive Council, at its meeting on Tuesday, May 5, 2020, has decided to form a 5-member Committee to advise the GFA on how to proceed with the implementation of the Policy.
“The Premier League Autonomy Committee will be made up of 3 persons nominated by the 18-Premier League Clubs with the other two to be added by GFA.
“This special task committee will advise the GFA on the autonomy of the league, the format, the modalities, start date and rulebook, among other parameters”.
According to Osei Palmer, most corporate organizations have been hit by the Covid-19 pandemic and will not be interested in investing their monies in football at this crucial point.
“The timing for the autonomous league is very poor. To go autonomous means you will need a huge investment to be able to run it smoothly. No corporate entity or organization will be willing to invest their money in the league during this period of COVI9-19 pandemic which has negatively affected all sectors of the economy”, he told Ohene-Bampoe Brenya in a virtual interview to discuss the effects of the Covid-19 on football clubs.
Meanwhile, the former Black Stars Management Committee Chairman has urged the GFA to share the FIFA stimulus package with all the stakeholders of the Association.
“The GFA must share the money among the stakeholders and not only the clubs. This is a difficult time and they must ensure every member of the group gets a share of the money. At least they can console themselves that during difficult times FIFA came to their aid”.