“Black Stars 2022 Afcon Campaign and World Cup qualifiers to cost $25m”-Sports Minister
Minister for Youth and Sports, Mustapha Ussif, has revealed that the senior national team, the Black Stars, will require an amount of $25 million to fund their 2022 Africa Cup of Nations campaign in Cameroon, as well as the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
He revealed this at a breakfast meeting with Chief Executive Officers from corporate Ghana at the Jubilee House in Accra on Monday.
The Black Stars have already booked their spot at next year’s AFCON tournament in Cameroon and will start the qualifying campaign for the 2022 World Cup in June.
In order to adequately fund both campaigns, the Minister has embarked on fund-raising efforts from corporate Ghana to support the team.
Mustapha Ussif said
“It is the dream of the nation to win the Africa Cup of Nations again in Cameroon next year, and to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup,” the Sports Minister said.
“These campaigns require a substantial amount of investment to be able to execute this mandate, approximately $25 million and government alone cannot shoulder this responsibility at the expense of other sporting disciplines.
“Supporting the Black Stars will enable government to use the sports budget to support other disciplines especially as we gear towards the Tokyo Olympic Games.
“Historically, the Black Stars have performed well every time corporate Ghana has backed them and it is our hope that you will do same again,” Mustapha Ussif told a gathering of CEOs from corporate Ghana.
The President of the republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, announced at the meeting that government will provide $10 million of the required amount with a 5-member committee, headed by the Sports Minister, tasked to raise the remaining $15 million.
Ghana since 1982 has not lift the Afcon trophy,the minister as well as Ghanaians are eager to see the Black Stars achieve this feat.
Andrew Ayew is currently the captain of the Black Stars and it will look good to see him lift the trophy for Ghana. He did it in Egypt with the U-20 national team to lift the World Cup which was the first time an African country has ever done it.
There are so many good players in the team that can help to win the trophy next year, notable among them are Mohammed Kudus of Ajax, Thomas Partey, Arsenals,Jordan Ayew,Crystal Palace, Wakaso Mubarak, Shenzhen FC and so many other potential player’s.
By Saaka Yakubu Issah
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