GFA slams Dzamefe Commission: Description of kit manager as 'ball boy' is 'hideously inappropriate'

Published on: 27 June 2015
GFA slams Dzamefe Commission: Description of kit manager as 'ball boy' is 'hideously inappropriate'
The Dzamefe Commission has come under attack for its work

The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has launched a scathing attack on the Dzamefe Commission's report, saying its description of the Black Stars kit manager as a 'ball boy' is 'hideously inappropriate' claiming it calculated to bring disaffection for the man.

The Dzamefe Commission, which investigated Ghana's early exit at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, outlined a $100,000 fee paid to Ghana's equipment manager but dubbed his role as a "ball boy" in the report which has led to condemnation of the payment.

Ismail Hamidu did receive the payment but the GFA said his role as "kit manager" was being ridiculed by a commission it accuses of "posturing".

The GFA insists his role as "kit man" was "key" and claim branding him a "ball boy" is "hideously inappropriate" insisting the payment was vetted and approved by government.

"It is apparent that the description of the kit manager as a 'ball boy' is calculated to bring disaffection for the person in charge of the position even though his role is key for the highly-tuned professionals to perform at the top level," a GFA statement read.

"While the commission is seeking to mock the person, the position or his role in the team, it must be made clear that the payment of the appearance fees to the kit manager was made after government vetted and approved it."

The GFA had already complained before the commission was set up that the probe was set up to witch hunt members of the federation while covering up the failings of government in the embarrassment in Brazil.

The Brazil 2014 World Cup Commission of Inquiry description of the kit manager as a 'ball boy' has led to the impression that Hamidu earned $100,000 US Dollars for just catching and throwing balls.

The commission made such description of the kit man even though there is no such position as ball boy in the Black Stars or any national team set up.

His official position is the equipment officer and his job schedule is not to catch and throw balls as the world has been mischievously made to believe.

The description of the kit manager was completely unnecessary, and for a panel that has, especially, Moses Foh-Amoaning - a man of impeccable sporting credentials - that is a surprise.

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