Soccer News of Tuesday, 23 May 2006

Source: Ibrahim Sannie

Huge bonuses for stars, if .....

The government of Ghana has promised to give US$ 20,000 to each player of the national team for every win at the World Cup finals in Germany next month.

This will mean that the government will have to pay out a minimum of US$460,000 for any win in Group F where they face Italy, the Czech Republic and the United States.

Deputy sports minister Osei Bonsu Amoah said the amount would increase if the Black Stars go beyond the group stages of the competition.

They have been holding their pre-World Cup camp in Austria.

"We are making this offer to encourage the players to give their utmost best for the country," Amoah told BBC Sport.

"The offer will be greatly improved if they go beyond the group stages of the competition."

The Black Stars will be arriving in Germany on Thursday where they will be making their debut at football's most prestigious event.

They face European giants Italy in their opening group game on 12 June in Hanover.