Kwesi Nyantaky is clear on his mandate as one of the two Africa’s torchbearers at the FIFA Council which he states as; continuing with the ongoing FIFA reform agenda and spearheading a new course for domestic leagues in the continent.
“I am in no doubt at all as to what this mandate means. It is a mandate for reform as already set out by our President Gianni Infantino. It is mandate for renewing the foundations of world football with Africa very much at the heart of it,” The Ghana Football Federation boss told Football Africa Arena (FAA) in his first interview since CAF congress on Thursday where him and Almamy Kabele Camara of Guinea were elected to the top decision making organ of the world governing body.
“This mandate is also a very clear instruction to deliver and even though we have just six months I will dedicate myself to it. The Europeans particularly the clubs have a strong voice at FIFA and UEFA and Africa MUST NOT be left behind. I want Africa to join President Infantino in continuing the FIFA reform agenda while seeking the support of my colleagues on the FIFA Council in charting a new course for the domestic leagues in Africa and other parts of developing world to sustain local interest and corporate funding for the leagues.” He added.
Rich European leagues have continued to be the biggest market for top talents from Africa with every player’s dream being to shine at home and attract lucrative deals abroad. The trickling down effect of such moves to local leagues/clubs has not been far reaching, something Kwesi wants addressed.
“This may come in capacity building, protection of leagues through creative ideas and perhaps financial support from the richer leagues that benefit from talents from developing countries. All of these contribute to the popularity and successes of these leagues and it is only fair that when they are sharing the benefits and experiences it should also reach those who contributed to the success.”
The WAFU President supports removal of clause 18 of CAF statutes, calling it prohibitive discriminatory and offensive to good governance practices, he was however quick to add that Djibouti Football Federation sponsored alternative which failed the 75% approval threshold was equally restrictive.
“The Djibouti proposal was a step towards eradicating it but some didn’t support the Djibouti proposal because it was equally restrictive. We need more balanced open and fair proposal that will offer a fair opportunity to all FA presidents to become CAF president.” He said.
Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, South Africa and Ethiopia abstained from vote with the motion to scrap the rule suffering 32 to 16 defeat.
Kwesi explained Ghana’s stand as follows: “The Ghana team at the congress arrived late on Wednesday night. We held meetings up to 4AM of Thursday. I got to the congress late. My colleagues came late and couldn’t vote on the Djibouti proposal. At the time I was there but as per article 18 (21) of the CAF statutes I couldn’t personally participate because of my position on the Executive Committee.”
The trained lawyer and banker has not thought about challenging Issa Hayatou for CAF presidency come next year March.
Kwesi, who is also the owner of the newly crowned Ghana Premier League champions Waa All Stars, is rooting for independent football associations in Africa free of government dependence.
“I look forward to the day Sub-Saharan African FAs will become financially autonomous so they can enjoy their freedoms without interferences form their Governments. Most of the national teams are funded by the Government because the FAs cannot secure enough funding from sports sponsorship because of the sizes of the economy omits. Governments haven’t done much to promote legislation that will encourage companies to invest in sports through liberal incentives.”
He acknowledged all the FA presidents who voted for him promising to champion the Africa agenda and not just Ghana’s.
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