Three To Contest For FA Presidency

Three top football administrators set the stage for a fierce contest when nominations for the GFA Executive Committee presidential election opened yesterday.

After a period of suspicion, speculation and media evasion, acting GFA Chairman, Mr Kwasi Nyantakyi, Mr Y.A. Ibrahim and Kojo Bonsu finally filed their nominations at the FA Secretariat on the very first day to concretise their candidature for the topmost FA position, ending weeks of anxiety among stakeholders of Ghana soccer.

This was confirmed to the Graphic Sports by the GFA General Secretary, Mr Kofi Nsiah, yesterday.In their determination to occupy the top FA seat, all three candidates filed their nominations well before mid-day yesterday.

Unlike Nyantakyi and Ibrahim who were tight-lipped on whether to contest or not until they filed their nominations on the quiet yesterday,Kojo Bonsu who is a Director of RTU had made his intention known through a BBC interview a few weeks back.

Bonsu, the former ADIDAS representative and current Chief Executive of the popular Agoo Magazine, hopes to be third time lucky after two previous attempts at becoming the chairman of the erstwhile FA Management Board ended on rocks.

Mr Ibrahim who is the Founder of Premiership side, Real Sportive, has served as the chairman of the scratched GFA Executive Council for the past seven years.

Nyantakyi, on his part, is a representative of Upper West Heroes and acted as the chairman of the FA Management Board when Dr Nyaho Nyaho-Tamakloe suddenly resigned as the incumbent FA chairman earlier in the year.

However, it is now certain that the Chief Executive of King Faisal, Mr George Amoako, will no longer contest after emerging as the first candidate to declare his intention to vie for the position a few months ago.

Confirming his decision in an interview with the Graphic Sports yesterday, Mr Amoako said he decided to step down in solidarity with Mr Nyantakyi.

He explained that he thought it wise to rescind his decision in order to concentrate on club administration where he thinks there are more challenges.

“I also don't want to rock the boat since I think the incumbent FA chairman is on course. If given the chance he will do well, if what has been seen of him so far is anything to go by,” he emphasised.

Mr Amoako, however, described all the three persons who have so far filed their nominations as credible candidates. “Of the three, Y.A. Ibrahim is the most senior and is also more experienced. He is equally competent,” he stressed.

As nominations are open till Friday, it will not be surprising if other candidates join the race. The FA presidential election is scheduled to take place at an extraordinary congress in Accra on December 30.

That will,however, be preceded by the election of Regional Football Association (RFA) chairmen in all 10 regions on December 21.