Kufuor splashes Dollars on Black Meteors

ABUJA –– President John Kufuor yesterday announced a 4,000 US dollars to each player of the Ghanaian Under-23 team for beating Nigeria to the ticket to the forthcoming 9th All Africa Games in Algeria.

President Kuffour announced the donation in a telephone congratulatory message to the players shortly before their departure yesterday afternoon. “This is incredible. Our president has made us proud. He has recognised our efforts.

“We will work harder to ensure we bring the Games gold medal to be presented to him (President John Kuffour)” the players said while celebrating their president's announcement for their efforts. The players said the money would positively impact on their lives.

It was learnt that the players were not given even their match allowance of USD 1,200 a fortnight ago perhaps because of their inability to win the encounter. Yesterday's announcement of USD 4,000 to each player of the team saw the players further celebrating to the admiration of even the guests at their Agura Hotel camp. Nothing was heard about their Cecil Jones Attukuayefio-led technical crew, but it was learnt that the technical officials would surely be rewarded for their efforts when they arrive Ghana.

Michael Helegbe, whose 53rd minute curtain raiser put the Dream Team under severe pressure, said the “presidential gift” would go a long way in solving his family's needs. “No one expected that much.

The highest I had thought that would be given to us was USD 1,200, but here we are ready to collect as much as USD 4,000. Our president has made us millionaires. That's even more than double of what we were supposed to receive as our match allowance. Its indeed great”, elated Michael Helegbe said.