Soccer News of Wednesday, 3 September 2003

Source: GNA

Arrival of kits boosts Queens morale - Mensah

Accra, Sept 3, GNA - Mr Sylvester Mensah, leader of the Black Queens delegation in the FIFA Women World Cup in United States of America (USA), has said the morale of the players has been boosted by the arrival of sports kits from their sponsors Lotto.

According to Mr Mensah the supply of the kits for both training and the competition itself as well as the payment all allowances and per diems have gingered the players up for action.

Mr Mensah who made these assertions in a statement made available to the GNA Sports by the Ministry of Youth, Education and Sports (YES) said, "all the players are reaching their peak and the coach Mr Oko Aryee might even find it difficult to make a final selection of 20 out of the 22 players available.

He said the team has so far played seven matches, won two, lost two and drawn three adding that barring any injuries the team will be in good shape for the tournament.

Mr Mensah praised the Ghanaian community in Portland, Oregon, for providing two mini busses as well as a 70-seater bus for long distance travel of the team.

In related development, Mr. Joe Aggrey Deputy Minister of Education, Youth and Sports said all the essential needs of the team have been catered for by the government.

Mr Aggrey said the government has so far spent 90, 000 dollars for the upkeep and allowances of the team while 50, 000 dollars was been sent through the Ghana Embassy in Washinton, last week.