Experienced football administrator, Takyi Arhin has insisted that the government needs to cover the cost of testing Ghanaian players for the Coronavirus (Covid-19) disease.
The 2019/2020 football season in the West African country has been on hold for the last 3 months as a result of the deadly disease which has affected all aspects of life globally.
While the conversation on the possible restart of the football season continues, many have called for the cancelation as they argue that the clubs cannot pay for the cost of testing players for the virus should the Ghana FA decide the league should continue.
In a short write-up, former Techiman Eleven Wonders CEO Takyi Arhin has raised salient points on why the government must be the one to pay for the cost of testing players.
“Why should clubs pay for testing. I don't get it. The burgers that were brought from abroad and given free accommodations and free meals, did they pay for their testing? Ghanaians that are tested so far, who pays for their testing? Why do we always cheapen ourselves like that? In terms of employment to the economy, football alone employs more than 4000 people", he wrote.
Mr. Takyi Arhin continued, “We pay taxes to clear our goods from the ports. We pay social security for our employees. We pay for VAT. On matches played. Players that we transfer outside are helping the economy. We feed the various national teams with our players without taking anything from the government.
The football administrator further calls for financial support from the government to allow clubs to continue the league season behind closed doors.
“So the government should support us financially to play the matches behind closed doors else the players would become rusty. We need to convince the government with these factors stated above rather than thinking of payment to the testing of our players and the other stakeholders", he added.