CAN SPORTS BE THE WAY TO ECONOMIC
FREEDOM? PART 1
Mr.
President, this is Kemba Walker, a 28-year-old Charlotte Hornets NBA
Player, who earned $12million USD (2017) and he gives back to his
community annually.
Can we not
produce players in Ghana using our Sports?
A mention
of LeBron James and Stephen Curry, may sound far off and people may not relate
so coming home to our very own; Asamoah Gyan, Dede Ayew, Christian Atsu,
Kojo Asoamah among others are also making tremendous impacts on the society in
their own way. What do they do? Sports! Are they not employed?
“If
nothing at all, their immediate families will have some level of income and
some comfort!”
Just one
player, one discipline or event.
Just take
a look at this.
With 30
teams in the NBA, just do the math: if you have an average player taking
$15million as salary, with not less than 20 players and officials in a team
aside the TV rights to the Associations or events, kits sponsors, revenue from
commercials, income from stadium attendance, among others... “Absolutely
Fantastic Opportunity - AFO! “
Employment
Unemployment
admittedly is a major challenge to most governments even in the developed
economies.
Ghana
battles with teeming graduates each year who after National Service must cast
their nets wide in search for jobs which are unavailable. “hmmm!”
Can we
start investing in the youth and equip them with some skill set or at least invest
in the area of sports where they can take on roles as coaches, managers,
psychologists, athletes, sports journalists, among others.
Ghana has
talented individuals in the area of sports and with a little encouragement, an
enabling environment, and education, the unemployment situation in Ghana can be
addressed to some extent.
NABCO
alone cannot solve the unemployment challenges we face as a country; I
think the best this initiative can do is micromanage the few individuals ready
to earn a living.
“The
system hard rough!” is a usual term among some of the youth today.
What are
our long term goals as a country to mitigate these challenges? Sports can be
our option.
Some
literary works and research have discussed extensively and suggested ways
government can solve the unemployment situation in the country or possibly
reduce unemployment. What they have recommended was the development of the
skills of the citizenry.
I know
some will criticize this piece and rationalize it but the what still remains is
can we use sports to enhance our economic freedom?
Just
recently the Haitian - Japanese born Naomi Osaka thrashed her idol Serena
Williams to clinch the US Open Championship, a historic moment the world had
ever witnessed. Guess what, she is 20years. Now, not only does she have the
voice to advocate for young girls to dream beyond their dreams but she led by
an example. Is she not employed?
Just
passing by famous “Atemuda joint” in East Legon, along the road side and other
areas, younger ladies even younger than Naomi lined up waiting for an available
vehicle to pick them up for the night “prostitution!”.
What if we
give them an alternative, an opportunity as cheer leaders, take active
part in sports and make a living out of it? “Take them back to school! “
Perhaps
they may not be as outstanding as Naomi, but that can take some of these ladies
off the streets and I believe sports has the power to transform their lives.
Asamoah
Gyan, Micheal Essien, Tony Baffour, Christian Atsu among others lives have
changed drastically through sports. Can we invest in the younger generation too
at least to double or triple the numbers of these stars in our
communities?
These
role models Mr. President, started somewhere and developed their talents.
Others were innocent kids from the streets, some had good education, among
others and shot to the limelight through their hard work and perseverance. Now,
most of them are embarking on charitable works.
For
instance, LeBron James makes $30milion, as the highest paid NBA player. He has
built and fully furnished a school as well as employed teachers to build the
capacity of these children.
Right here
in Ghana, Asamoah Gyan funded a project for Accra Academy (Astro Turf), his
alma mata. He has a few other projects to support economic activities of this
country. Can we imagine the likes of Asamoah Gyan, supporting developmental
projects in our communities? Massive!
Assuming
we had just 2 of such stars in our communities, giving back to society, taking
one project at a time, roads, school, hospitals, clean drinkable water among others.
Won’t these ease the pressure on government?
This will
as a result ease the pressure on government to provide social amenities so the
government can focus on other necessities.
Also there
may be no need for the double tracking system and the free education can be
made relevant in tandem with infrastructure development.
Watch out
for Part 2:
#SportsEcomonicFreedom
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