The President of Beach Soccer Ghana has come out strongly in support of Sports Minister, Hon. Edwin Nii Lantey Vanderpuye.

Recent public utterances by the Youth and Sports Minister has attracted criticism from the football fraternity and sections of the sports media but according to Yaw Ampofo Ankrah, the minister is only doing his job and looking out for the best interest of all sports in Ghana and not just football.

Ampofo Ankrah made the remarks when he was reacting to the draw for the first round qualifiers of the Beach Soccer Afcon.

Ghana’s Black Sharks will travel to Nairobi in August where they face a tricky encounter against the rising Harambee Sand Stars of Kenya.

“I expect the Minister to be good to his word and give beach soccer the respectful attention it requires”.

Ampofo Ankrah stepped into the bonus debate surrounding the Black Stars of Ghana by suggesting that if beach soccer had just 1% of the financial support of football, the Black Sharks would become African champions within two years.

“Yes I agree with the Minister totally when he proposes more financial aid for lesser supported sports. This would not harm football at all. It would rather push the GFA to be more robust in seeking alternative sponsorship for the Black Stars, other national teams and the domestic leagues”.

The Black Sharks are currently ranked 7th by CAF and 47th by FIFA following the creation of a national beach soccer team in 2013.