The much anticipated 2017 FIFPro Division Africa Congress is underway at the Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City in Accra.
This year’s event, the 11th such gathering of top African football policy makers, is being hosted by the Professional Footballers Association of Ghana.
The official opening ceremony of Congress saw a number of key speeches made. Perhaps the most revealing address was delivered by the Secretary General of the FIFPro worldwide union, Mr. Theo van Seggelen. According to the Dutch FIFPro guru, research by the international players union has revealed that 41% of African footballers receive their salaries late or not at all.
He said FIFPro finds the situation most unacceptable, and talks have been scheduled with CAF vice president Kwesi Nyantakyi to find a way of putting an end to this unwelcome situation.
Also present was Ghana’s minister for Youth and Sports, Isaac Asiamah, who advocated for the introduction of standardized contracts to provide basic salaries for all players in the local leagues.
Gracing the opening ceremony were delegates from various African player unions, former top notch African footballers including Samuel Osei-Kuffuor, Geremi Njitap, Yousif Chibsah, Black Stars deputy Head Coach Ibrahim Tanko, and a number of Ghana Premier League club captains.
Black Stars defender, Samuel Sarfo, read a speech pledging the support of all Ghana’s professional footballers for the activities of the PFAG and FIFPro. His pledges were reaffirmed by ASP1 Anita Wiredu-Mintah who read a speech commending the efforts of the PFAG at further integrating female footballers into the Association.
Secretary General of the PFAG, Anthony Baffoe, rounded up proceedings by providing a clear outline of the impressive strides and successes being chalked by the Association since its inception.