Accra, June 19, GNA 96 Dealers in the paraphernalia and replica jerseys designed in the national colours, red, gold, black and green are making the best out of the market as any item, designed in the colours are in high demand.
This follows, the first ever participation of the senior national team, the Black Stars in the FIFA World Cup and the sterling performance of the team over Czech Republic last Saturday.
Since Monday, June 12, when the team played its maiden match in the competition, everything designed in the national colours has been a sell out.
Checks conducted by the GNA Sports at Circle and Osu from the dealers of the items revealed that day in, day out, Ghanaians troop to the places to grab any thing that will identify them with the national team. Almost every item ranging from, arm bands, scuffs, flags, jerseys among others are being scrambled for, by all manner of people.
Kweku Antwi, told the GNA Sports that, prior to the World Cup, they hardly sold more than five jerseys each day, but sales had shot up dramatically and they sell close to 20 or more jerseys each day. He said, the prices of jerseys have shot up, from 70, 000 cedis to 120,000 and 150,000 cedis each, due to the increasing demand.
According to Antwi, though most people feel reluctant to buy due to the increment in price, the euphoria surrounding the occasion always compels them to make a purchase.
At Osu, Sammy, a dealer in similar items, said, Saturday, was a big market day for them, because people struggled to grab items. He however noted that sales had slowed down on Monday, but expressed the hope that they would increase from Tuesday, as the team gears up for their final group E game against United States of America (USA) on Thursday, June 22.
Both dealers revealed that, with an expected increase in demand for the items, they would be making more orders in readiness for Thursday. Similar views were expressed by dealers of the products at other joints.
Interestingly, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) will not in anyway benefit from the sales, as the profits will go into individual pockets.
This is because the GFA is yet secure sole rights over their logo, which grants them the right to arrest and prosecute all dealers of the products.
On the other hand, the authentic replica jerseys sold by Sportnet Ghana Limited, seem to be lost in the system, as fans prefer the fake ones sold between, 70-150, 000 as compared to the puma designed jerseys sold at 450, 000 cedis.
The GFA prior to its departure was reported to have submitted its logo for registration with the Registrar General Department but are yet to lay hands on their certificate.
The entire capital has been engulfed in a high euphoria since last Monday when the team began their campaign against Italy. Though the hype witnessed a decline after the 2-0 painful loss to Italy, the sweet victory over the highly rated Czechs has revived the spirit of the nation.
The whole nation was thrown into a state of ecstasy last Saturday, when the team recorded the victory over the East Europeans. 19 June 06
