[ 2014-03-18 ]

We cannot endure paying huge sums as appearance fee for Black Stars - Sports Minister
Government says it cannot continue to pay huge
sums of money to each member of the playing body
of the Black Stars anytime they feature in major
tournaments.

According to Youth and Sports Minister, Elvis
Afriyie Ankrah, the practice of increasing
appearance fee for the team before the players
feature in major tournaments, is "not
sustainable".

The team had demanded the payment of $100,000 to
each member of the playing body against the
$75,000 they were paid during the 2010 world cup
tournament in South Africa. Cabinet however
decided to maintain the same figure ahead of the
2014 tournament to be staged this June in Brazil.

Speaking on the Super Morning Show on Joy FM,
Tuesday, Mr. Afriyie Ankrah said although the
players are yet to communicate their acceptance of
the figure, what has been approved by cabinet "is
non-negotiable".

He added, the issue of appearance fee needs to be
discussed thoroughly. This should however, happen
after the impending world cup tournament which is
just a couple of months away, the Minister
suggested.

"Going forward, all of us need to take a second
look at this whole appearance fee business," he
said.

"...It's definitely not sustainable and we cannot
go on increasing appearance fee every world cup
(year). So that discussion and debate have to
occur" Mr. Afriyie Ankrah emphasised.

Meanwhile, Mr. Afriyie Ankrah has dismissed
allegations of interferance in the work of Akwasi
Appiah, head coach for the Black Stars ahead of
the tournament.

There were rumours suggesting there were schemes
to appoint Milovan Rajevac as the Technical
Director of the Black Stars ahead of the World
Cup. Appiah had served under Rajevac as Assistant
coach in the 2010 world cup.

But the Minister said government has an unwavering
confidence in the coach and is prepared to offer
him the needed support to enable the team succeed
in Brazil.

"Kwasi appiah is our coach, we have confidence in
him...we have told him to bring a programme of
whatever he needs to succeed..I've not received
any communication about 'Milo or Bournvita' or
anything...We are ready to give the coach whatever
assistance he wants but it must be his request".

Source - MyjoyOnline

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