Football utopia

What if football were to rule the world? Then, the world would be one bundle of passionate, spirited, and happy challenges. Footballers would (forget their idiosyncrasies) lead in transforming economies, enhancing cooperation, solving conflicts and keeping all in a perpetual state of passionate frenzy!

If football were to rule that world, matches would be used in solving conflicts, pooling resources for development and increasing the entire global happiness quotient! For the economy, the gains made in football sponsorships, broadcast licences for tournaments and product endorsements by footballers, would be proportionally shared to key sectors, that would have footballers at the helm of affairs when off the field. Of course, they would also be paid!

That would be an ideal model of governance. After all, do we not all resent the politicians and the political appointees, who we think do no work, but guzzle up our resources? Thus, the footballers would help create a country's resources and help (work) in the utilisation of the resources.

Football ministers

The ideal football governance model would comprise 10 ministries, with the captain of a football team, say Asamoah Gyan, as prime minister. It would be a parliamentary system of football governance, with footballers representing interests and constituents, mobilising human and material resources for development and buoying up the spirits of men and women in football friendly tournaments, which would be periodically organised.

That is a possibility! Just imagine the various voluntary and humanitarian causes that some international players are involved in and the resources they pool for that!

The veneration, admiration and passion for individual football stars could be channelled from the field of competitive play, to the social, economic and political sphere to galvanise the resources for beneficial development outcomes.

Play positions and the game

The goalkeeper (Fatau  Dauda) would be the Minister of Defence, defending a nation against any form of humiliation (such as was the case in the first-time defeat of Brazil by 7 goals to 1 at the hands of Germany in the 2014 World Cup semi-final match).

The striker (perhaps, Abdul Majeed Waris or Jordan Ayew – position 9) would be the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Relations, using the flare of goal-scoring to engender discourse and engagments among nations. The left-back (number 3) would be the Minister of Agriculture, the central defenders (numbers 4 and 5) would be ministers of Health and Education, respectively; while the right back (number 2) would be the Minister of the Interior.

The holding midfielder (number 6 – Mohmmed Rabin) would be the Minister of Finance, furnishing resources proportionally to all footballers for their respective sectors.

The offensive midfielders (numbers 8 and 10, Andre Ayew and Kwadwo Asamoah) would be at the helm of the ministries of Justice and Human Development (including all issues pertaining to skills development, employment and social welfare), respectively. 

While left and right wingers (11 and 7 -Christian Atsu and Emmanuel Agyemang Badu), would deal with the ministry of Ghana’s material wealth (comprising land, minerals, energy and all other resources) and the ministry of infrastructural development, (comprising roads, housing, and all capital assets of the country).

The prime minister/captain would lead the team of football ministers in all matches organised by FIFA, which would be the international government. 

With the central defenders having mustered the goal (ball) of education and health, countries would build a strong defence against illiteracy and incidence of diseases. Either of them would make a smooth pass to the Minister of Agriculture or Interior, who, building on successes in health and education, would ensure food security by a strong and healthy people working to shore up food supplies; and proud and healthy armed forces, ensuring the integrity of the borders of the country. 

The withholding mid-fielder (Minister of Finance) would ensure the proportional distribution of resources to all based on solid economic policies, from which the offensive midfielders with a sense of justice and skill, would work with the left and right wingers, to pass the ball to the striker, who, with charm and dexterity, would strike for the ultimate.... gooaaal!!!!!... of national pride, development, and patriotism.

Order of play

For security, conflicts between countries would be solved by tournaments, like the World Cup, with the team winning the cup leading the international order of things and having its views prevailing. For the global economy and other international affairs, that country would also have the privilege of having its views dominating

For those in opposition to football... Wait! They will not be left out! They can use their opposition to derive some pleasure.

Like some do, they can annoy all by supporting the opposing team playing against theirs.

It is pleasurable to see the almost unpardonable stares, and hear the mortification in the voices of people when one, for instance, supports Nigeria in a game against Ghana!  

But these are ideals, written by a novice of the game!

Email: caroline.boateng@graphic.com.gh