#I mean he's met or directly worked with/against almost all the major female players at some point of the show :D

[riisinaakka]

~I’ll Make A Man Out Of You ~

Hey hey hey!! I was listening to some metal covers on YouTube the other day and since this singer happened to look like a non-curly version of Silver I jumped into the idea :D

So imagine Long John Silver singing this [“I’ll Make a Man Out of You“ (from Mulan) but it’s A METAL COVER by Dan Vasc] while "training" the troops in Black Sails s3-s4. So basically he’s just repeating what Flint, DeGroot, Billy, Anne or whoever actually knows what they are doing is instructing... and all the crews are really loving his way of telling things, so they gladly listen to him, lol. At the same time he’s taking a crash course in how to be a leader.

And if you want to add some sad meta stuff? Silver is building “A Man” out of himself too, instead of “just” being seen as a creature / cripple, a coward, a-not-joiner, a thief and so on, because he cannot be seen weak in front of the men anymore and now has to step up to play the part of the Pirate King... so it’s also a pep talk to himself.

OR! Imagine Flint singing the song (mentally in his mind if not aloud) while training Silver “to fight and not die”:

“Once you find your center / You are sure to win” 

*cut to Flint playfully knocking out the new crutch a few times so Silver can start getting used to fighting with it and find balance* Add some training montage on the cliffs and admiring smiles and glances! “Let’s get down to business!”  ;)

“You’re the saddest bunch [of lies] I ever met / But you can bet before we’re through / Mister, I’ll make a man King out of you”

Or just generally imagine Flint singing another cover version of the song (one fitting his vocals better?). Maybe already in s1 or s2 with his twirly mustache, sweaty ponytail and unhinged anger! >:D The song fits well his rousing speeches and him being better at everything than everybody else (and showing it too, lol) while promising to make them the princes men of the New World (and training them to fight against the civilization that is coming).

OR! (a long shot into the dark but I thought I would share it anyway...) somehow connect some later verses with Silver’s plan of returning Flint into “a mortal man” instead of the legend / god-like status of his name if you want to exaggerate or bring some fantasy elements in there... (˵ ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°˵)

I don’t know how to put all these swirling thoughts into words properly... but first he’s singing about how Flint must be all the Forces of Nature (hello superstitious Silver! and hello James holding on to the part of being Flint even if it’s destroying him because he feels like he has to!).

Then Silver could be sort of singing how to bring “Captain Flint” down, make him walk away from the war and live, crying out the verse “How could can I make a man McGraw out of you?~“ before finding one solution and reuniting him with his old love... reorienting him to the daylight and to the man he once was, so to speak.

Too much? Oops! (ʘ‿ʘ✿) Back to the lighter stuff:

* * * * * * * *

The other voices on the song can be:

“I'm never gonna catch my breath” - (DeGroot, grumpily)

“Say goodbye to those who knew me“ - (Vane, that growl! xD)

“Boy, was I a fool in school for cutting gym“ - (Rackham or Featherstone)

“This guy's got 'em scared to death“ - (Billy, pleased with his plan but not yet knowing how majorly he just fucked up)

“Hope he doesn't see right through me“ - (Max or Eleanor)

“Now I really wish that I knew how to swim” - (Rackham, watching how Anne leaves to do some watery guerilla stuff while he stays on the ship, alone ;_; )

* * * * * * * *

Plus, I find that “Be A Man” choir in the background hilarious (in a good way). Imagine the training montage with the crews and especially Teach looking so stern and trying to drill those macho ideals in them because “it’s the only way to be a proper pirate” or something pfffft.

Also imagine the bonding and tentative friendships with the pirates and the Maroons if they have some joint exercises. Some levity to the grim reality of the upcoming war, let’s have some shenanigans!

Anyway, the point was, imagine Silver having to adapt and play the part of the Pirate King and it somehow manifests as singing metal* and rousing the people that way! >:D

(ﾉ>｡<)ﾉ ♩✧♪●♩○♬☆ヽ(≧▽≦)ﾉ  (*and disney songs, lol)

You / We must be swift as a coursing river With all the force of a great typhoon With all the strength of a raging fire Mysterious as the dark side of the moon ~

Time is racing toward us till the Huns Brits* arrive    (*and Spain) Heed my every order and you might survive You're unsuited for the rage of war So pack up, go home you're through How could I make a man out of you?

* * * * * *

Lastly, maybe he gets swept by the high energy and the power of darkness the more he gets into doing it and ends up even enjoying himself sometimes ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Oooh, also don’t forget that the music would be played with hurdy-gurdies, clacking bones, broken pianos and such! 8D 

So yeah, some various thoughts happened *dumps these gleefully on your dash and continues enjoying the song * ☆ﾟ°˖* ᕕ( ᐛ )ᕗ

Here’s a quick bonus edit for the mood:

[alexisdecoy]

BYfN

Goose took a long drag from an American Spirit. The smoke filled his lungs, and his mind loosened the binds of anxiety. The room was dusty and dark, vignetted by the weak lamp adorning the desk in the center. The oaken workspace was blanketed with an assortment of papers. Upon a select few were the scribblings of a madman, in a way revealing the odd and convoluted inner workings of the mind that made Goose so famous. A shallow white light dissipated about the door, shining through the intentionally foggy glass. The Art Deco letters on the other side, GOOSE WILLIAMS - PI were chipped with age. The only other illumination was the orange glow adorning the end of the cigarette. Goose looked around at the particles floating lazily through the light of the door. Things were quiet. It was the capture of Dom Martello, a Rot who’d been running booze for just too long, that brought about this quiet. Goose wasn’t there, but he sure heard the shots. Three cops died that night, and two of Dom’s men too before they finally had them cornered. Duke Rammerstein, a Shepard, was one of those three, and he’d been a good friend and source of intel for Goose since he left the force. Goose mulled this over in his mind as he shook a second cigarette from the pack. The tobacco mixed well with the effects of the half empty flask precariously perched on the desk. Any feelings of loneliness now slipped away and were replaced by a smooth and warm euphoria. He sat for a while, letting his mind wander to Romeo, the Dane who’d mitigate Goose’s sorrow when his other vices just wouldn’t cut it. Goose thought back to the night they first met. The club was dark and loud, Romeo’s intoxicating breath hot on his neck. In all the noise, the hundreds of others packed in around them seemed to fade away. They had seen each other since, but none of the meetings were quite so special as the first. The door swung open and Goose squinted in the glaring white. A small, curvy poodle stood in the doorframe, her mask of makeup broken by a trail of tears. What few clothes she had hung loose and left little to imagination. She stood only for a moment before rushing in and collapsing in front of the wooden centerpiece. Goose stood slowly, refocusing his mind despite the glaring headache, and walked around to the girl. She was young, far too much so to be wearing such makeup and clothes, and her body was racked with heaving sobs. Goose leaned against the desk, waiting for the girl to regain control. She sat up slowly, tears still welling in her eyes. “She’s gone.” “Start from the beginning, who are you?” Goose said gently. “ I’m sorry, I’m Trixy and -“ Her sentence was cut short by another heaving breath. “And I’m lookin’ for my friend, Tina. She’s been gone for almost a week, and I’m real worried.” Her voice was high, and just as southern as her name indicated. “So I take it this disappearance is unusual…where do you usually see Tina?” Goose’s brow furrowed as he mentally catalogued the information. “Well, she works usually works the same corner as me, and we got to talkin’ some months ago and she’s real nice. Real pretty too, she’s an Irish Setter” “ So you’re an…” “Escort, yeah. But I got money, I promise.” Goose turned to the desk and pushed a few papers before producing a notepad and pen. He began writing furiously, trying to record every detail. “Last time I saw her, she was actin’ all nervous, checkin’ over her shoulders and talkin’ outta breath and said something about gettin’ away.” Trixy’s voice had grown only higher in fearful concern, and Goose winced, the pitch ringing in painful synchronization with his headache. “Do you know anything else about Tina, her real name or address?” Trixy shook her head slowly, eyes filling with despair for not having more information. She hung her head for a moment, but looked up again quickly. “You should talk to Greta, she’ll surely know more about her.” “And where might I find this…Greta” He said the name slowly as he inscribed it on the page. “ Oh, she runs the bar we work outside of. She’s real tough and has run away quite a few scary customers. Tell ‘er I sent you.” Trixy grasped a cheap leather bag with trembling paws, pulling out a crumpled wad of bills. “Hopefully this’ll cover it.” She placed the money on the desk and turned to go. “Greta’ll know where to find me too.” She walked out the door and closed it behind her. The returning darkness swallowed the room and Goose stood, thinking.

Some time later, Goose stepped up onto the curb outside of Finnegan’s Pub, and this stretch of sidewalk -cracked, grey with grime- certainly seemed the place for one of Trixy’s profession. He pulled the collar of his trench coat tight to the back of his neck, protecting from a sudden chill. The bar itself was in general disrepair as well, a window was boarded, and the U of the sign was missing, leaving behind only faded paint of the same shape, but the noise spilling out from inside indicated that the place was far from deserted. Goose pulled open the door and saw a bustling crowd of dogs of all types, roaring with the laughter of intoxicated jubilance. A stern bulldog was growling behind the counter, making a much larger patron back down. Goose stepped through the throngs to the worn counter, where the tender quickly took notice. “I haven’t seen you around before, what can I get you?” The voice was low and gravely, especially for a female, and indicated a life of hardship. “You must be Greta, I’m Goose, a private investigator. Trixy sent me.” Her expression changed to a frown, and a look of concern filled her eyes. “You’re here about Tina, aren’t you?” Goose nodded in response, and Greta’s frown deepened. “Last time she was in, I could tell she’d been having trouble. I haven’t seen her for about a week neither, but I know she was hanging out with that Frankie Nelson, and he’s in with a real bad crowd.” “What do you mean?” Goose pulled the notebook from a jacket pocket and began to write. “Well, I’ve seen him walking around with Ronnie Delfino, the guy that’s been running Tortelli’s since Dom got put away. You know Tortelli’s right, the casino?” Sirens filled the air as an ambulance whizzed past outside. Greta didn’t even look up. “Anyways, I’ve heard talks that there’s some high stakes game tonight, and all the major players are gonna be there. Maybe that has something to do with it.” Goose thanked Greta for her time and stepped back out to the sidewalk. A few blocks down the street, the ambulance from earlier and a few other cop cars were circled around an alley. Goose walked towards the commotion and saw a small gathering of dogs around some yellow tape. As he neared the scene, he heard one cry in particular, and he recognized it. “TINA!!” Trixy shouted. Goose stepped under the tape and approached a tight circle of police. They were surrounding a body. “Hey, Goose, what are you doing here?” Nikita Petrov, a Siberian Husky and friend of from the force, said. “I’ve been contacted to look into a girl’s disappearance, this girl’s, to be exact.” They both stared quietly at the ragged and splayed corpse at their feet. “Have you found any formal identification?” Nikita produced an evidence bag holding an ID that read: Kristina Davis. Below the name was an address, which Goose quickly jotted down. “Any outward cause of death?” “Nothing yet, but we’ll be taking her back to autopsy. I can get you a copy if you’d like.” “You know where to send it.” Goose turned from the body and ducked under the tape once again, walking past a distraught Trixy to the listed address.

The listed residence was an apartment on the third floor, and the whole building had a similar curb appeal to Finnegan’s. The brick walls were black with long dissipated industrial smoke, and all the windows which weren’t covered with cardboard had drawn curtains. The main door wasn’t even locked. Goose walked to the back of the lobby to a worn door leading to the stairs. The walls of the stairwell were a sickening green, which only furthered the clear signs of water damage. The carpeted halls of floor three had splotches of brown and was faded completely beyond the original color. Apartment 371 was at the end of the dimly lit corridor, and the brass 3 on the door was tilted. Goose knelt and pulled a small leather roll from a different pocket of his trench coat. He unrolled the pack on the floor and carefully selected a lock pick. He inserted the thin metal into the deadbolt lock and maneuvered the instrument slowly until he heard a click. Goose carefully turned and removed the pick before standing and pushing the door ajar. The apartment itself was far from fancy, but was fairly clean. A coffee table dominated the main room, covered in various books and magazines, and kitchen appliances decorated the wall opposite the door. To the right, two other doorways led off to what appeared to be the bedroom and bathroom. Goose began the search with the literature on the table, finding nothing to indicate Tina’s disappearance and subsequent death. He moved to the kitchen, having a similar lack of luck. The bathroom, accompanied by cracked mirror and yellowed shower curtain, revealed only that Tina had a similar penchant for makeup as her friend. But unlike the relative order of the rest of the house, the bedroom was in complete disarray. The sheets were bunched on the floor at the foot of the bed, pillows were also discarded about the floor, and clothes were spilling from a dresser with drawers hanging open. On the small table near the bed rested a small piece of paper. Goose picked it up. “BARK YES for NO -Frankie” The remainder of the search yielded nothing, but Goose pocketed the note as he left.

The lights from Tortelli’s filled the night sky. Goose pushed open the door to the casino and stepped inside, and directly into a wall of smoke. At every table, at least one finely dressed dog puffed heavily on a fat cigar. But that’s not what caught Goose’s attention. Beyond the tables in the rear, there was a queue of dogs in line for an unassuming door. A large Rot seemed to be speaking in hushed tones to each of those in line, allowing a few through but turning most away. Goose walked towards the line and overheard the bouncer. “What’s the password?” Goose’s paw immediately jumped to his pocket, where the small paper was waiting. The line moved relatively quickly, and before long Goose was being questioned by the bouncer. “BARK YES for NO,” Goose said confidently. The Rot gave an approving nod and opened the door. When Goose entered, he was surprised by the drastic change in lighting. The only source was a hanging lamp in the center of a large poker table. Immediately, Goose recognized those sitting around the table as Frankie, Ronnie, and other high profile gangsters. Each had a sizable stockpile of chips, and each had a look of cunning on their face. This game was going to be anything but fair. Goose simply observed for a while, watched as chips were passed and passed back again. After an hour or soaks during a break, Frankie stood and walked to a door in the back. He pushed it open and walked outside, pulling a pack of cigarettes from a pocket. Goose followed, and acted nonchalant as Frankie turned quizzically towards him. “Who are you?” “A friend of Tina’s. You wouldn’t happen to know anything about that, would you?” Frankie grimaced and threw down his cigarette. With a snarl, he stepped back inside. Goose recognized that he’d been too forward with his approach, and followed him inside. Frankie was back at the table, still holding the same look of disgust. The scowl only worsened as his pile of chips gradually grew smaller. Goose watched quietly as Frankie’s frustration escalated. When the last chip had been lost, he stood, knocking his chair back and to the ground. He exited the same door. And, just the same, Goose followed. Frankie walked quickly a few blocks up the road in the newly onset rain. Even as he paused to light a cigarette, the weather only proved to infuriate him further. Goose walked up behind him and stood quietly, waiting for Frankie to say there first words. “Alright, alright, I knew her!” he practically screamed from the pent up rage. “What happened?” The notebook was no longer necessary. Goose had reached the end. “ The bitch ODed, okay? I didn’t kill her. I just threw her somewhere I wouldn’t have to deal with it, but here I am.” He sighed heavily. “Working with Ronnie, I’ve had a lot of extra dough, so I’ve been kicking it her way. Last time I dropped by, she wasn’t there, so I left her the code so she could watch me win. But she turned up at my place after that and walked right in. We had some fun, but she had too much and she dropped. Nothing graceful about it. She just died. Fitting, I suppose.” Goose stood silent for a moment, letting the words sink in. And that’s when he understood. Without another word, he began to walk away.

Goose took a long drag from an American Spirit. His pen met blank paper and began to write, not in the scrawling and violent font of his notes, but in a languid and sorrowful cursive. He wrote and wrote before finally laying the pen to rest and folded the letter, a wad of cash enclosed.

Trixy, As you have already found out, Tina is gone. Not simply from your life, but from everyone’s. Her passing was not a grand finale, but a quiet and absolute end. Her fate was sealed by a craving for interaction, a departure from the overbearing loneliness that surrounds us. And In a way, that is what she found. Wherever she may be, she is not alone. May you find peace as well. Goose.

[footballghana]

TRANSCRIPT: Ghana FA boss Kurt Okraku talks the impact of COVID-19

President of the Ghana Football Association, Kurt E. S Okraku, on Wednesday, May 13, 2020, gave an update on the impact of COVID-19 on the football industry and other matters related to engagements with stakeholders and government about the way forward for the sport.

Mr. Okraku was on a program organized by Accra-based radio station Happy 98.9 FM and GTV Sports+. On the panel were Deputy Youth and Sports Perry Okudzeto, Ben Nunoo Mensah, President of the Ghana Olympic Committee, Hon. Alex Kofi Agyekum M.P for Mpohor and Chairman of the Parliament Select Committee on Sports and Culture. Another guest on the discussion was Charles Osei Asibey, Secretary of the Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG).

Read in full, a transcript of what the GFA President said:

How has COVID-19 affected the development of football in Ghana?

“If there is an industry in this country that has suffered over the last four years, it is the football industry. I am saying this because of what we went through after ‘Number 12’ exposé when everything ground to a halt completely for almost two years where our male and female suffered as a result of no football activity. There are about 5,000 people who are directly employed in the top flights of our football. So going two years without football was not easy because owners of clubs went through a lot. Today, players are struggling to showcase their talent because of COVID-19. Club owners do not see their way clear because of this pandemic. At a time when we thought the game was picking up, on came COVID-19 so the effect is unquantifiable. Even the media has been badly hit. When I think about my colleague club owners, for instance, I have 5 clubs in Ghana, move to the 18 Premier League clubs, 48 Division One clubs, Division Two, Women’s League, Colts League. As things stand, the football industry has really suffered within the last three years. For us to be on our feet again, God must intervene.

If we decide to annul the League. What will be the revenue loss to clubs?

As we speak, there’s no decision as to whether the Ghana Premier League would be cancelled or not. We are still in talks. If we are to cancel the league, it will be another trying period for players, clubs, referees and everybody involved in football.

A cancellation will almost certainly mean loss of sponsorship revenue to clubs. I don’t have the exact figures as to how much revenue clubs will lose if the league is cancelled. But you don’t expect sponsors to continue sponsoring when there are no football activities. The financial challenges mean the issue of player salaries, already a sensitive subject, has come up. I share in the pain of club owners at this point in time. Throughout the world when issues like this come up, the issue of salary comes up. FIFA has spoken about the issue. They don’t want us to touch the salaries of footballers but it is something that has come to our attention but we would like to respect the decision of FIFA.

On decision making at this moment

At the last Executive Council meeting, we gave ourselves up till the end of June to make a decision. We are considering all scenarios in our engagements with stakeholders. Our medical team led by Dr. Adam Baba is working very hard to come up with a document for us to consider. I want to call for calm. We shall take a decision in the interest of everybody. We will communicate our decision if we decide to either cancel or truncate the season. In the meantime, FIFA remains the GFA’s main hope of financial salvation. We are also waiting for FIFA to fast-track the process and get us the Emergency COVID-19 Fund.

Is it not a flaw that we don’t have figures to back our argument on losses and contributions of football to the GDP at this time?

I think we are in a stage in our football development where we need to make room for science to play a big part in whatever we do. That would mean science will lead to the things we do to provide information to the nation. This is something that the FA under my leadership will do. The fact that it hasn’t been done in the past does not mean it won’t be done. It is something that I really want to do.

What can you tell us about the stimulus package from government?

Before the new football season under my leadership, we approached government for support and it was because of the problems we faced within the last two years. There was a need for us to be helped to come back on our feet. So we met the Sports Ministry and indeed they shared in our concerns for which reason the Sports Minister arranged for us to meet the President, H.E Nana Akufo-Addo. Just a few months after our engagement, boom, on came COVID-19. So it has halted everything we put in place. Football is big, it’s one of the strongest vehicles that can be used to transform the nation. It has affected every facet of the economy. You look at the guaranteed revenue streams for football clubs in Ghana, from player trading, to gate proceeds and the likes are all off. So we went back to the Sports Ministry again with a proposal seeking for help. Discussions have gone on very well and we are looking at government to come up with a package to help the football industry.

What about International bodies?

Beyond government, we have engaged WAFU, CAF and FIFA. Indeed WAFU was looking at CAF; CAF was also looking at FIFA. But what I can say is that the FIFA Bureau is doing a lot to help alleviate the hardship of Member Associations during this time. We have had several meetings with the leadership of FIFA; all our discussions have been positive. We cannot make progress without FIFA and government intervention because government is a major stakeholder in football development in Ghana. The FA will sit over the issue, consult and make decisions that would benefit our members because clubs are really suffering. It is a fact that before football can grow; there is a need for government to invest in the game. In other countries, government gives direct money to clubs. The platform is amazing and it can only be harnessed properly if we all come together and work.

So what next?

At this stage, stakeholders know the process involved and the stage we are. We all know cabinet met a few days ago to make a decision. Again, FIFA President Gianni Infantino says he is doing his best to fast-track the process and make some money available to Member Associations.”

“Even in scarcity, we found a way to support our clubs. The clubs are playing a waiting game but they are positive because we have been very open and transparent to them. We know it’s not easy but we are positive.

About FIFA Forward and Emergency Fund

The FIFA Forward operational fund, which is $500,000 and the COVID-19 Emergency fund that is unknown, these are two different funds. The money has not yet come from FIFA but we believe it will hit our accounts soon to be put to good use.

Your clubs wanted you to share the money to them. What can you say about that?

The FA shares in the pains of our clubs and our direct stakeholders for which reason we came to their aid when we received the one million dollars from Glo before the commencement of the league. It gives you an indication of how much we know our clubs, how much we respect our clubs and how much we always try to meet them halfway. However, when FIFA gives you money for a particular project, FIFA tells you exactly what to do with the money. You can’t withdraw cash, you take loans with the money, and you can misappropriate the funds. With FIFA Forward, it’s as strict as IMF, even though I don’t have experience with the IMF. But let me hasten to add that the FIFA COVID-19 Emergency Fund will come and when it comes, the FA will take care of our clubs.

Update us on your Visit to Prampram on Tuesday

The Executive Council met to take a decision and one of the foremost things we did was to use our intangible assets so our Communications Department together with the International Relations Department decided to use our foreign-based players to record educational videos on COVID-19 in the fight against the pandemic. Beyond this, we looked at our facility at Prampram that can house at least 250 people and that decision was well received by the Council. The facility is going through a major facelift and I am sure within the coming days, the place will be ready for use. I would like to take the opportunity to thank President H.E Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the Ministry of Health, the Ghana Health Service and all the stakeholders for their roles.

On the way forward for Ghana Football

The Executive Council shares in the pain of all clubs in Ghana during this challenging period. We are in this together. We play a big part in the lives of every Ghanaian. We bring hope, we offer aspirations to people who would not normally be found from the woods of Ghana. We heal wounds. It is at this time that we need to stay together as a family because no single individual has answers to all the problems facing the football industry. And at this moment, we need all industry players on board. Let’s fight internally and let’s agree on the best foot to put forward for the good of the Football Association. I believe we have enough quality in this country and I believe with very good management, we would get back to our glorious days. We are yearning for the big trophies, just as the President Nana Akufo-Addo said. We are yearning for the AFCON, we are yearning for the CAF Champions League and with hard work, these trophies would come.

Source: Ghanafa

source: https://footballghana.com/

[footballghana]

GFA boss Kurt E.S Okraku talks about impact of Covid-19, plus more

President of the Ghana Football Association, Kurt E. S Okraku, on Wednesday, May 13, 2020, gave an update on the impact of COVID-19 on the football industry and other matters related to engagements with stakeholders and government about the way forward for the sport.

Mr. Okraku was on a program organized by Accra-based radio station Happy 98.9 FM and GTV Sports+. On the panel were Deputy Youth and Sports Perry Okudzeto, Ben Nunoo Mensah, President of the Ghana Olympic Committee, Hon. Alex Kofi Agyekum M.P for Mpohor and Chairman of the Parliament Select Committee on Sports and Culture. Another guest on the discussion was Charles Osei Asibey, Secretary of the Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG).

Read in full, a transcript of what the GFA President said:

How has COVID-19 affected the development of football in Ghana?

“If there is an industry in this country that has suffered over the last four years, it is the football industry. I am saying this because of what we went through after ‘Number 12’ exposé when everything ground to a halt completely for almost two years where our male and female suffered as a result of no football activity. There are about 5,000 people who are directly employed in the top flights of our football. So going two years without football was not easy because owners of clubs went through a lot. Today, players are struggling to showcase their talent because of COVID-19. Club owners do not see their way clear because of this pandemic. At a time when we thought the game was picking up, on came COVID-19 so the effect is unquantifiable. Even the media has been badly hit. When I think about my colleague club owners, for instance, I have 5 clubs in Ghana, move to the 18 Premier League clubs, 48 Division One clubs, Division Two, Women’s League, Colts League. As things stand, the football industry has really suffered within the last three years. For us to be on our feet again, God must intervene.

If we decide to annul the League. What will be the revenue loss to clubs?

As we speak, there’s no decision as to whether the Ghana Premier League would be cancelled or not. We are still in talks. If we are to cancel the league, it will be another trying period for players, clubs, referees and everybody involved in football.

A cancellation will almost certainly mean loss of sponsorship revenue to clubs. I don’t have the exact figures as to how much revenue clubs will lose if the league is cancelled. But you don’t expect sponsors to continue sponsoring when there are no football activities. The financial challenges mean the issue of player salaries, already a sensitive subject, has come up. I share in the pain of club owners at this point in time. Throughout the world when issues like this come up, the issue of salary comes up. FIFA has spoken about the issue. They don’t want us to touch the salaries of footballers but it is something that has come to our attention but we would like to respect the decision of FIFA.

On decision making at this moment

At the last Executive Council meeting, we gave ourselves up till the end of June to make a decision. We are considering all scenarios in our engagements with stakeholders. Our medical team led by Dr. Adam Baba is working very hard to come up with a document for us to consider. I want to call for calm. We shall take a decision in the interest of everybody. We will communicate our decision if we decide to either cancel or truncate the season. In the meantime, FIFA remains the GFA’s main hopes of financial salvation. We are also waiting for FIFA to fast-track the process and get us the Emergency COVID-19 Fund.

Is it not a flaw that we don’t have figures to back our argument on losses and contributions of football to the GDP at this time?

I think we are in a stage in our football development where we need to make room for science to play a play a big part in whatever we do. That would mean science will lead in the things we do to provide information to the nation. This is something that the FA under my leadership will do. The fact that it hasn’t been done in the past does not mean it won’t be done. It is something that I really want to do.

What can you tell us about the stimulus package from government?

Before the new football season under my leadership, we approached government for support and it was because of the problems we faced within the last two years. There was the need for us to be helped to come back on our feet. So we met the Sports Ministry and indeed they shared in our concerns for which reason the Sports Minister arranged for us to meet the President, H.E Nana Akufo-Addo. Just a few months after our engagement, boom, on came COVID-19. So it has halted everything we put in place. Football is big, it’s one of the strongest vehicles that can be used to transform the nation. It has affected every facet of the economy. You look at the guaranteed revenue streams for football clubs in Ghana, from player trading, to gate proceeds and the likes are all off. So we went back to the Sports Ministry again with a proposal seeking for help. Discussions have gone on very well and we are looking at government to come up with a package to help the football industry.

What about the International bodies?

Beyond government, we have engaged WAFU, CAF and FIFA. Indeed WAFU was looking at CAF; CAF was also looking at FIFA. But what I can say is that, the FIFA Bureau is doing a lot to help alleviate the hardship of Member Associations during this time. We have had several meetings with the leadership of FIFA; all our discussions have been positive. We cannot make progress without FIFA and government intervention because government is a major stakeholder in football development in Ghana. The FA will sit over the issue, consult and make decisions that would benefit our members because clubs are really suffering. It is a fact that before football can grow; there is a need for government to invest in the game. In other countries, government gives direct money to clubs. The platform is amazing and it can only be harnessed properly if we all come together and work.

So what next?

At this stage, stakeholders know the process involved and the stage we are. We all know cabinet met a few days ago to make a decision. Again, FIFA President Gianni Infantino says he is doing his best to fast-track the process and make some money available to Member Associations.”

“Even in scarcity we found a way to support our clubs. The clubs are playing a waiting game but they are positive because we have been very open and transparent to them. We know it’s not easy but we are positive.

About FIFA Forward and Emergency Fund

The FIFA Forward operational fund, which is $500,000 and the COVID-19 Emergency fund that is unknown, these are two different funds. The money has not yet come from FIFA but we believe it will hit our accounts soon to be put to good use.

Your clubs wanted you to share the money to them. What can you say about that?

The FA shares in the pains of our clubs and our direct stakeholders for which reason we came to their aid when we received the one million dollars from Glo before the commencement of the league. It gives you an indication of how much we know our clubs, how much we respect our clubs and how much we always try to meet them halfway. However, when FIFA gives you money for a particular project, FIFA tells you exactly what to do with the money. You can’t withdraw cash, you take loans with the money, and you can misappropriate the funds. With FIFA Forward, it’s as strict as IMF, even though I don’t have experience with the IMF. But let me hasten to add that the FIFA COVID-19 Emergency Fund will come and when it comes, the FA will take care of our clubs.

Update us on your Visit to Prampram on Tuesday

The Executive Council met to take a decision and one of the foremost things we did was to use our intangible assets so our Communications Department together with the International Relations Department decided to use our foreign-based players to record educational videos on COVID-19 in the fight against the pandemic. Beyond this, we looked at our facility at Prampram that can house at least 250 people and that decision was well received by the Council. The facility is going through a major facelift and I am sure within the coming days, the place will be ready for use. I would like to take the opportunity to thank President H.E Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the Ministry of Health, the Ghana Health Service and all the stakeholders for their roles.

On the way forward for Ghana Football

The Executive Council shares in the pain of all clubs in Ghana during this challenging period. We are in this together. We play a big part in the lives of every Ghanaian. We bring hope, we offer aspirations to people who would not normally be found from the woods of Ghana. We heal wounds. It is at this time that we need to stay together as a family because no single individual has answers to all the problems facing the football industry. And at this moment, we need all industry players on board. Let’s fight internally and let’s agree on the best foot to put forward for the good of the Football Association. I believe we have enough quality in this country and I believe with very good management, we would get back to our glorious days. We are yearning for the big trophies, just as the President Nana Akufo-Addo said. We are yearning for the AFCON, we are yearning for the CAF Champions League and with hard work, these trophies would come.

  Source: ghanafa.org

  source: https://footballghana.com/