Accountability And Transparency In Football

THE past week has been a revelation in how people in football communicate and share information. I was very surprised by events that raised the issue of accountability and transparency in the game of football.

As football administrators, it is important that we ensure that whatever activities or events we are undertaking are conveyed to everybody in the most appropriate manner.How do you call a meeting and you do not have an agenda? How do you address an issue from the previous meeting if you do not have the minutes of the previous meeting? How do you tell people that you have plans to implement certain activities if those plans are inside your head or within a small group of people? If the media are to give coverage to activities and plans that we have, we need to ensure that information is in writing. But it is not only for the media, but also among the administrators. What will stop me from raising issues that were addressed at the last meeting if I do not have the minutes of the decisions taken?How will administrators who were not at a specific gathering know when the deadlines are if there are no documents? How will a person know what his role and responsibilities are if this information is not communicated in writing?Leagues are supposed to have annual general meeting, these are the highest decision-making bodies within the structures, but if these decision-making bodies do not communicate in writing, how do you go and implement decisions that have been endorsed by members?If the league structures are not working, how can the same people expect clubs to have functioning structures?This shows an abnormality within our structures, where people are elected into office, from clubs that do not adhere to basic principles of running a football club. If my club does not hold its annual general meeting, how do you expect me to lead a league and implement the rules and regulation of the leagues; if am not used to a structured format, how do you expect me to conform?Meetings are crucial in the administration of any organisation, and if meetings are convened, whether formal or informal, it is important that the deliberations of these gatherings be documented, both for future reference and for guiding people who are to do the implementation. If meetings are convened and the convener is the lead and the scribe, then something is very amiss in such a structure. The Fifa FUTURO III Manual on Administration and Management, under club management, clearly stipulates that it is important that all roles and responsibilities be clearly defined, from the role of the chairperson to all the officers involved in the club.The reason is very simple, if you have a group of people involved within a structure or organisation, there is a need to clearly define individual roles from the onset in writing, this will help in avoiding conflict in the future. If people have plans, this should be communicated to all relevant stakeholders, on time, because it is only when people know what your plans are that they can gauge your performance.Remember communication is key at all times to ensure accountability and transparency* Mathew T Haikali is a FUTURO III Regional instructor in Administration and Management in Football. -matts@iway.na