GFA Chairman, Mr. Ben Koufie, has refuted allegations that GFA has refused to pay winning bonuses to the black stars after their match with Rwanda last Sunday, October 13, 2002, at the Accra Sports Stadium.

Reports reaching Daily Guide sports desk point out that the black Queens and the under-20 team – Satellites, -have also not been paid their respective bonuses.

So, one would ask, what could have been holding up the bonuses? The authorities responsible for this schedule must wake up if they wish to see football thrive in this country as far as national assignments are concerned.

Mr. Ben Koufie explained in an interview that it is not the responsibility of the GFA to pay bonuses.

He stressed that the sole responsibility of this schedule rests with the Ministry of Youth and Sports.

Koufie further hinted that the minister in charge of youth and sports explained that the delay resulted from the Ministry of Finance since the latter has not yet approved the bonuses.

He added that the practice of delaying such bonuses would not augur well for Ghana football and that it must be rectified immediately.

Mr. Ben Koufie made a passionate appeal to the Ministry of Youth and Sports to expedite action in order to pay the bonuses to the players who are our soccer ambassadors.

On account of this negative treatment meted out to the players, the Black Stars failed to put up their best in their friendly encounter with champion club Accra Hearts of Oak which ended 1-0 against the Stars.