… Appeal to
government for support
Ghanaian
football fans have expressed their feelings over the Brazil 2014 World Cup
tickets after Vice President of the Ghana Football Association; Fred Crentsil
has released the categories of tickets and dates to apply.
Mariam
Buckman, head of the UNISON Supporters of Ghana told yours truly the match
tickets are too expensive and the ordinary Ghanaian soccer fan can not afford
even the category C tickets which are the cheapest.
She
stressed that $90 each for three group stage games, $121 for 1/16th stage, $182 for
Qurater finals, $303 for Semi
finals, $182 for the third place and $484 for the grand finale totaling $1,542
if one wants to see all matches is very
expensive.
She
said the best way out is for the Ghana government to bail out some of the fans,
because Ghana’s Black Stars have to enjoy some raw Ghanaian support at the
World Cup if the nation wants to improve upon previous performances or win the
mundial for Africa for the first time.
According
to Madam Buckman it would be very difficult for ordinary supporters to pay $1,
542 for the cheapest tickets aside their accommodation, feeding, transportation
and air fares.
“We
cannot afford to spend over $2,000 each in Brazil. For sure the government must
help. They have done it before in previous World Cups and President John
Dramani Mahama must try his best to send as many sports journalists, football
supporters and medical personnel” she emphasized.
The
former Accra Hearts of Oak stauch fan who had been involved in the management
of Women’s Football said football has made her popular and she will continue to
support and contribute to the promotion and development of football in Ghana.
Abraham
Nkansah popularly called Apiriguchakapama told yours truly the match tickets
are expensive and nothing can be than but to seek support from corporate bodies
for the fans who have backed the Black Stars through the qualifiers.
The
president of the Die Hard Supporters Group noted that Ghanaians love soccer and the
nation has the great chance of
winning the cup if the Ghana Football Association and the Ministry of Youth
& Sports plan very well.
He
added that President Mahama must consider the enthusiasm of the Ghana
Supporters and link them to companies and agencies to offer sponsorship for the
fans.
Vincentia
Deku of the Women Supporters Union of Ghana (WOSUGA) said it is time for many
Ghanaian women to show their love for the Black Stars and also advertise the
culture of Ghana at the World Cup.
She
said Ghana has much to share at the FIFA World Cup and the event would be an
avenue for showcasing tourism and sports.
“Ghanaians
are very special people and we will show the world that we play the best of
football and have beautiful women like the one who won third place at the Miss
world Pagent. We have big potential and we must show it at the World Cup. We
just want to plead with companies and philanthropic individuals to support us
to the World Cup. We must be there at all cost. Yes we must be there” she said.
Guntu
of the Millennium Supporters Group also hinted that they are working out with
the Ministry of Youth & Sports and other private institutions for financial
support as most of their members who really sing and cheer the Black Stars most
are unemployed and have no back bone than to rely on the NDC government.
“We
see it as a reward for the fans who contributed to the election of the
president. We love the first man of the land and we know he will support us to
make Ghana proud. This is the time of the black Stars to better the African
record and we will cheer then on to make Africa proud” he said.
The
various supporters groups of Ghana have come together to form the Ghana Supporters
and they are trying to mobilize financial support for their members to go to
Brazil.
Some
of the members of the Ghana Supporters are NSU, GHANSU, Millennium, Die Hard,
UNISON, Great African, Disabled Supporters, WOSUGA and others.
FIFA
has fixed February 4, 2014 as closing date for application of tickets and
payments should be made before February 28, 2014.
Ghana
has been paired alongside Germany, USA and Portugal in the group of death for
the FIFA World Cup which starts from June 12 to July 13, 2014.
