So, this week, there’s been a raging debate online, particularly on X, formerly Twitter, with the arguments on whether players in the Ghana Premier League should be given quotas to the Black Stars.
This is not the first time it has come up for discussion.
In almost every World Cup year, this conversation comes up. In the last four years, the insistent pressure from several quarters (fans, football administrators, and others) saw the notable inclusions of Hearts of Oak’s Daniel Afriyie Barnieh and Kotoko’s goalkeeper, Danlad Ibrahim.
There have been calls for the inclusion of players like Alex Boakye (Aduana Stars), Emmanuel Annor (Nations FC), Salim Adams, and Prince Owusu (Medeama SC).
In this piece, I’ll look to argue for and against the quota system.
First and foremost, Guaranteed opportunities and visibility: The thing about aiding players into the national setup will facilitate visibility which they rarely get from time to time. If they get chances of securing a contract with an European club, there is a direct benefit to the player, his family, friends, club indirectly to his agents, managers and feeder clubs, which will also benefit immeasurably.
Secondly, Motivation and retention of talent: It has become almost a repeated trend to see players leave the league after one good season or two. We have seen times without number how half-baked they are when they fail to impress and are shipped back to the country. A few examples come to mind: Kotoko’s Albert Amoah left for Libya, and in less than three (3) months, he came back; Kwame Opoku left for Algeria and couldn’t replicate that form there; Salim Adams couldn’t cut it at the MLS Pro II. Many leave after one or two good seasons with no clear career pathway to the Black Stars. A quota system would reward excellence in the domestic league, encourage top players to stay longer, and make the GPL more attractive.
Also, Economic boost: If players from the domestic league get the opportunity in the national setup, it gives them more TV exposure, sponsorship deals, and fan interest. Hearts of Oak’s Daniel Afriyie Barnieh and Kotoko’s goalkeeper, Danlad Ibrahim inclusion saw their duo clubs receive immense FIFA Club Benefits Programme money from their participation at the World Cup four years ago.
The other side of the coin will see me look at the possible arguments against the quota system.
It undermines true merit and breeds mediocrity:
If it is constantly a niche where players are picked to satisfy policy rather than performance in the long run, this doesn’t help anyone. It would mean that players would not push themselves beyond the horizon, knowing that by reason of an affiliation to a higher authority or club, their spots are guaranteed.
Moreover, it Reduces Competitive Edge: In a bid to satisfy local content, it would mean that the national handlers would have to select players from the league, and that would mean leaving out in-form Europe-based players in favour of GPL ones. This has the tendency of affecting the quality present in the national side at international tournaments, and with the World Cup coming up, it is important to have the best Ghanaians to represent the country at major competitions of such magnitude.
Risk of Nepotism, Politics, and Unfair Selection: There is the tendency of undue influence, favouritism, regional bias, or political interference in squad selection. It would not be the first time a player has gained selection to the national team for one reason or another. There have been consistent suggestions that players are given call-ups not because they are the best in the league around that time, but go through as a result of a higher power or disposition.
We have to understand that our standards have fallen; our player quality, structure, identity, and league aura have not been able to live up to the billing. Ghanaian football has regressed.
I have always maintained that quota system is not a bad outlook on the league but if should be done well, it should reflect the current happenings in the local league and not because we want to satisfy a player, body, group of people or hierarchy
