Accra, May 8, GNA - The Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC), in conjunction with Sport One Network Foundations has launched a raffle aimed at raising funds for Ghana's contingents at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games, in Greece.

The raffle ticket, which will be sold at 5,000 cedis each, will see the first prize winner taking home a 15-seater KIA mini bus in addition to a round trip air ticket to watch the Olympic games in August. The second prize will also be sponsored to witness the Olympic games.

There will be 500 other consolation prizes made up of electrical appliances like DVDs, VCDs, fridges, ghetto blasters. Mr Benson Tongo Baba, President of the GOC, who launched the raffle said it is becoming increasingly difficult for the government alone to shoulder the responsibility funding sports men and women to international events, hence the need to rely on individuals and corporate organisations for additional support.

He said this arrangement of government and private sector partnership for sports development is nothing new as it has prevailed in many countries.

"It is in this vein that the GOC is seeking the support of all Ghanaians by this raffle to raise enough funds for our Olympic team." Mr Baba said there is the need for Ghanaians to patronise the raffle since it will be a motivating factor for sports men and women to "die a little bit" in the name of Ghana to win laurels for the nation during the Olympics.

"Ghana is a land of gold and we are going to Athens to mine gold, this is our target." The GOC president stated.

He called on Ghanaians not to be deceived by any other raffle but the one being organised by the GOC and Sport One Network Foundations. Goodies Music Promotions was present at the launching and promised to help in the mobilisation of funds.

Mr Kweku Duah, known in music life "Tic Tac" represented Goodies Music Promotions, said he would soon launch his new album at the National Theatre and Labadi Beach and part of the proceeds will go to GOC to support the contingent.

He said apart from the two shows, proceeds from other musical performances to be staged by their company in Ghana, Europe and America would also go to the GOC as part of their support to the Ghanaian contingent.