The Ministry of Youth and Sports has received $300,000 from Goldfields Ghana Limited to support the preparation and participation of the Black Stars at the FIFA 2022 World Cup.
The Minister, Mr. Mustapha Ussif receiving the package on Thursday at the ministry in Accra, hinted that the government would not spend tax payers’ money to airlift Ghanaian supporters to the global event hence the need for corporate bodies to provide some funds to support them.
According to him, the decision has been necessitated by the current economic hardship that Ghana was facing.
“In view of the current situation we find ourselves, the government will not be using the consolidated fund to fund anybody as a supporter to Qatar. But what we will do as you historically know, is to rely on corporate Ghana to support us so we can get some few supporters to support our national team”.
He added that “The Ministry of Youth and Sports will, however, continue to appeal to corporate Ghana and the private sector, to support and finance some Ghanaian fans to provide symbolic support for the Black Stars. As an alternative measure, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, in collaboration with the Ghanaian Mission in Qatar, will mobilize Ghanaians and other Africans based in Qatar to provide support for the Black Stars.”
The Executive Vice President of Goldfields West Africa, Mr. Joshua Mortoti on his part, noted that Goldfields support for the Black stars dates as far back to 2005 when the company supported the team to the tune of $15 million.
He reiterated that, the company would be willing to provide additional funds when the team progress to the quarter final stage.
PRISCILLA NIMAKO, ISD
