Sports News of Friday, 27 January 2012

Source: GNA

Stars to receive physical cash reward

By Veronica Commey, (GNA Special Correspondent, Franceville, Gabon, Courtesy Ministry of Youth and Sports)

Franceville, Gabon, Jan. 27, GNA- Players of the Black Stars would receive physical cash reward as bonuses instead of the proposed electronic payment by the Bank of Ghana (BOG) and the Controller and Accountant General Department (CAGD).

Clement Kofi Humado, Minister of Youth and Sports told GNA Sports in Franceville that though there are talks involving his outfit and the players for future moneys to be paid through electronic facilities, there is an exemption for the tournament.

The players could be rewarded in excess of 100,000 dollars if they end Ghana's three decade wait for the trophy at the ongoing African Cup of Nations in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.

“Ideally the Bank of Ghana and the Controller General's Department expects us to comply with the regulation which we will. But for this game, we will grant exemption and do that in future”. He stated.

The Minister who is in Gabon to give the team both moral and material support, is confident the team can claim the ultimate that he hopes would grant a justifiable breather in the seeming rising political tension in the country's election year.

“Winning the trophy will not only enhance our chances as government, but also give the whole nation a breather from the political tension in the country presently.

“We have invested a lot of effort, energy, financial and other things in the hope of winning this trophy and it is fair to believe we have what it takes to deliver because the players are committed to it”. The Minister declared.

Government is spending five million dollars on the Black Stars campaign - an amount the Minister believes is reasonable for a cause that he said could ultimately inspire the youth to take to sports.

He, however, hopes that corporate Ghana in future would aid government in sponsoring national teams to bring laurels to the nation.