The contribution of football to national development
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In Ghana the speed with which development is being achieved is constantly under scrutiny. This developmental process is mainly rooted in donor-funded programs undertaken by the government. It is essential that the nation finds self-sustaining alternatives to support these programs and in time do away with reliance on foreign aid. The purpose of this study was to investigate if football qualifies as one of such alternatives. The study posed the question of whether or not football currently contributes substantially to economic development. The study then assessed the implications of this contribution for economic development in the long term. The study was conducted by gathering opinions of members of a Supporters‟ group/organization in Ghana using questionnaires. The study was also based on data on match revenues and attendances at home league matches of 14 teams played over a 17-week period. Finally, the study also relied on expert analysis and opinions of credible and established individuals on the Ghanaian football scene. The study found that, based on the variables evaluated, football contributes to economic development but not substantially. However, it was conclusive that football‟s current contribution has the potential to be massively substantial in the long run if given the right environment to thrive in.