Gone were the days when parents chased their wards from one park to the other simply because being a footballer at that time was seen as a job for the drop outs or truants popularly referred to as �kobolo�.
I remember in my school days some of my mates were promoted to the next class against the background that they had the ability or talents in the various sport disciplines particularly in athletics or football.
In those days, most of these guys were regarded as nothing to write home about when it came to academic work, but any time the school had to participate in sport competitions or �Interco�, such students became the heroes and champions for their schools.
Some of them who came from poor homes mostly ended up on the streets with very few of them seeping through with the help of a local football club or joining the community Sunday Morning Fun Club. They only showed their skills on the corners of the streets at week-ends.
Gradually, people�s mentality about the game saw some changes because it became lucrative due to certain incentives that were given them.
Today, the story has changed to the other side of the coin. To be a footballer in our contemporary world means a fortune and a fabulously lucrative profession. So a parent like Abedi Pale, the soccer maestro who has two skillful boys in the present national team is a truly proud father now.
Infact my mouth widely dropped open when I heard that the President, John Evans Atta Mills had awarded $ 20, 000 to each member of the Black Stars for their performance in the just ended Africa Cup of Nations Tournament which made the Stars very proud silver medal winners.
It was really overwhelming news to hear from the President describing that amount as �a token from the hearts of Ghanaians,� in appreciation for the honour the team brought to the nation. In any case, how many of us deep down in our hearts support the giving away of that amount.
Indeed, there are no two ways about the fact that the gallant Boys did incredibly well and therefore deserve to be praised and rewarded, but that does not mean we should sweep everything in our National Coffers for them at a go.
Talking about rendering sacrifice to Mother Ghana, have we forgotten about other professions like Teachers, Security Personnel, Farmers? Apart from setting aside ceremonial days for farmers, what has been done about their monetary motivation? Over the past years, Teachers among other professionals, have been embarking on various strike actions under different government regime for the demand of better conditions of service yet all to no avail. But when it comes to Footballers and their officials, the story is different.
The question is, what reward do the rest of us, who supported the Stars amidst mixed feelings of �ooooh�s and ouch�s� which sent shivers through our spines gain?
If at the end of the day such huge sums of money are given to a section of the people simply because they played their roles well in a job they are trained to do, what about us?
It is very true that football, over years, has become a beacon of hope for world unity but the money spent on them as compared to other sectors of the working population is just too much. It is true that all of us can not be Michael Essien.
But that not withstanding, if one person after playing in a tournament is gaining Billions of cedis against the meager pension pay of that Teacher or Police Officer who spent all his life grooming and training our future leaders, then something needs to be done.
One thing that baffles me, in addition to this profligate spending on football, is the issue of their exemption from paying tax on their gains. So it is about the time the country started taxing footballers as well. Interestingly, President Mills quoted the money giving to the Stars in dollars, instead of Ghana cedis. Well, if we value the Dollar more than the Ghana Cedis then we must not forget that the American government is very critical about collection of tax from which their stout players are not exempted.
Taxing footballers is no big deal because this has been the usual norm in most prominent soccer countries. For instance, in other European counties like Spain and others, as at May last year, they were battling with increasing taxes for footballers from 25% to 50%. That meant they still needed more returns from football. If they are doing it, how much more Ghana ?
In Spain , under the Beckham law introduced in 2005 which was meant to attract wealthy foreigners to work there, expatriates playing in La Liga for up to six years paid 25 per cent tax. Germany has a top rate of 45 per cent, while Italy 's is 43 per cent, and France 40 per cent. According to a report pasted on The Political Economy of Football webpage, Club officials said they expect agents and players were demanding that clubs pay salaries net of their pay increases, and that the payment of salaries net of tax was a common practice. And Ghanaian players abroad adhere to this foreign norm.
Today in Ghana payment of tax has become a pain in the neck for many because almost every business activity comes with huge tax. The fundamental reason for the collection of tax is revenue generation for National Development. Hence these footballers must be made to also pay tax as their contribution towards national development.
As a football fan, I am not in anyway advocating for lower motivation for our boys. In-as-much as we want the game to be attractive and rewarding, we must not eschew the modalities involved. Yes, football today is not just a game but a giant business venture as well, so Ghanaians must wake up and realize that it is about time we tax our Footballers on the huge amount of money given them.
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