The Deputy Minister of Sports, Pius Enam Hadzide has debunked reports on social media and other media platforms suggesting that his outfit has paid winning bonuses to the Black Starlets for qualifying for the final of the ongoing U-17 Afcon.

The minister in reacting to the widely publicised story mentioned that his outfit does not pay bonuses in cash but with cheques into the accounts of the beneficiaries.

Adding that he did not pay winning bonuses.

He acknowledged going to the dressing room of the players to give them one thousand but indicated that it was from his own resources just to motivate the young boys.

Read his full statement here:

My attention has been drawn to a story making the rounds on social media that I paid a winning bonus of one thousand dollars each to the National under 17 team the Black Starlets for qualifying for the finals of the ongoing Afcon U-17 tournament in Gabon. I wish to react and state as follows;

1. The Ministry of Youth and Sports does not pay winning bonuses in cash. Winning bonuses are paid by cheque into accounts of beneficiaries.
2. Winning bonuses are also paid in the cedi equivalent of the the agreed amount.
3. I did not pay winning bonuses to the players of the National Under 17 team for qualifying for the finals
4. Yes, I was at the stadium and later joined the players in the dressing room to motivate them at my own cost to forge ahead. The one thousand I gave was for a small refreshment for the entire contingent for a the great work done.