David Tagoe
22 June 2011
The owner of relegated premier league side, King Faisal, Alhaji Abdul Karim Gruzah says his expression of disgust at the so-called ‘golden handshake’, which the GFA Congress decided to give outgoing Executive Committee members of the association, should not be misconstrued as hatred for the members.
In expressing disappointment at the decision, Alhaji Grunsah says he is not oblivious of the fact that he does not have the power to reverse the decision since the GFA Congress has already endorsed it.
I can’t change a decision by Congress, but I am not happy about the decision at all. It worries me that people think they have helped Ghana football and so they should be given something in appreciation.
Iive been in football all these years and what Iive seen is that people who have been in football are awarded memorabilia and other items, but money has not been a consideration at all. Iive not heard about monetary rewards beforeî, he said.
Alhaji Grunsah’s worry is predicated on the fact that football in Ghana at the lower divisions is in dire straits, and in need of financial support, and as such, if the GFA has stashed money somewhere the wisest way to use it is to channel it into the development of football at the grass root.
I never knew the GFA has such an amount of money available. If there is such an amount of money at the GFA, I suggest they use it to develop football, but use it as a form of golden handshake to executive committee members just because they have contributed to football in Ghana.
Iive contributed to Ghana football and Iive been honoured for that, but definitely, I was not given money. That’s the way we should have gone with this one.
In any case, Congress has taken the decision already and I canÃÂÂt do anything about it. All I can do is to express my opinion, which is what IÃÂÂve done and will continue to doî, he remarked.
He pointed out that those who deserve real golden handshake are those who have been investing into football in the country, but are not getting anything out of it.
They are those who deserve a golden handshake, not the executive committee members most of whom have not bought football boots before. People are arguing that they have done well since assuming the responsibilities for Ghana football, but I would ask them, what have they done for those of us who nurtured the players who played in the two world cups?
Though I can’t change the decision, I donÃÂÂt think anyone can gag me. Iive spoken my mind on the issue and that’s it, he said.
At the GFA Congress last Friday, the Aduana Stars representative, Kofi Manu tabled a motion that executive committee members of the GFA should be given a golden handshake as a way of expressing appreciation to them for their contributions to Ghana football.
His proposal was seconded by Olloboi Commodore and others, drawing comparison with the ex gratia parliamentarians receive at the end of each term.
This is the issue that has elicited displeasure from Alhaji Grunsah, who was for the first time since entering football, absent at the congress due to another pressing issue.
The so-called ex gratia for the executive committee members has attracted varied responses from people within the football establishment as well as the general public. While some are totally against the GH ¢10, 000, others are of the opinion that a second look should be taken at the proposed amount.
Perhaps, informed by the reaction this may attract, further deliberations would be held on it by those involved.
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