What the TFF needs to do to improve soccer

SOUND LIVING


Attilio Tagalile is an author and media consultant and can be reached at atagalile@hotmail.com and 0754279655. 

By Attilio Tagalile


IN SUMMARY

One of the prominent coaches who was a victim of such problems was former Simba chief coach, James Siang’a, who continued to fight for his terminal benefits even after leaving for his home country, Kenya.



One of the problems that afflicted Simba and Young Africans Sports Clubs during the reign of the past Tanzania Football Federation, TFF, was their failure to adhere to contracts with some of their players and coaches.

One of the prominent coaches who was a victim of such problems was former Simba chief coach, James Siang’a, who continued to fight for his terminal benefits even after leaving for his home country, Kenya.

To date, it’s not yet known whether or not the Kenyan coach who is credited for leading Simba to the elimination of Egypt’s Zamalek was paid what Simba owed him.

I have raised this issue following the TFF’s decision, a few days ago, to withhold Young Africans’ Sh100m for settlement of payments for disputed contracts.

TFF deserves a pat on the back for doing what it did. However, since such problems continue to occur, there is now a need, on the part of the TFF, to look into the possibility of organising a mechanism that would take care of such problems before they are transformed into disputes sometimes to the point of being reported to the world football governing body, Fifa.

And one of the best ways of dealing with such problems is for the TFF to ensure that it has an institution, within the federation, that goes through each and every player’s contract with his club after signing and when the contracts ends.

The same thing should be done with respect to contracts that involve the clubs’ coaches, both local and foreign.

I know the TFF has been doing that. But it would do them (TFF) no harm if they strengthened their modus operandi with the aim of improving football administration in the country.

The other issue related to the foregoing that the TFF need to look into is a very cunning game usually played by the big guns in the VPL.

The game involves registration of players, not for taking part in the league, but rather for ‘blocking’ other clubs in the VPL from laying their hands on such players.

This trick can be compared to the silent game played in the English premier league where it is almost a taboo to sell a good player to one’s opponents.

In such cases, even if the club does not need the servces of the player any longer, given the player’s high pedigree, the club decides not to sell the player to one’s opponents.