Sports News of Monday, 9 November 2015

Source: ghanasoccernet.com

Gyan is "mad" at Sports Ministry

Ghana captain Asamoah Gyan Ghana captain Asamoah Gyan

Ghana captain Asamoah Gyan says he is upset with attempts by the Sports Ministry to force a bonus reduction on the Black Stars players.

The Sports Ministry say it will only be able to pay $5000 to each player of the Black Stars team as winning bonus.

This is a massive 50% off the amount often paid to the Black Stars as a token for their efforts in winning games for the nation.

A ‘take it or leave it’ stance is being adopted by the Sports Ministry in enforcing their policy of slashing the bonus of the Black Stars which has been a major talking point ever since the team’s poor showing at the 2014 World Cup.

But Black Stars captain has described this move as a personal vendetta against some personalities in expressing his dismay to what appears to be a high-handed posture of the Sports Ministry.

“To tell you the truth I am quite upset with this,” Gyan said in an interview with Accra-based radio station.

“I think it is an issue against personalities.

“We as footballers should also be considered as workers and after a hard day’s work, one needs to get paid.

“I don’t think when I hang up my boots and I fall sick I will go into the offices of a Minister and say because I played for the national team he should give me money to take care of my medical expenses.

“We are not slaves so such things cannot be enforced in the manner in which I hear it is being enforced.”

Attempts were first made to slash the bonuses of the Black Stars before the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations but this idea was shelved for the tournament staged in Equatorial Guinea.

The Sports Ministry claim they are cash-strapped and are unable to continue to pay the $10,000 winning bonus to the Black Stars.