We were made to sing the national anthem before receiving our per diems - George Alhassan recounts

Former Black Stars striker George Alhassan has revealed that Black Stars players were made to sing the national anthem as a condition for the payment of their per diems.

Alhassan narrated that under the military regimes, singing the national anthem was a key consideration for the attainment of benefits as a national team player.

He stated that the team manager was a military officer who made the singing of the national anthem a requirement for earning per diem.

He explained that the team manager believed that the ability to sing the anthem was "proof of your patriotism".

“During the military era, a national team player will only be paid his per diem after singing the national anthem. Your ability to sing it was an important proof of your patriotism,” he told Angel TV.

"Our team manager at the time was a military officer. They had introduced a new national anthem and made it mandatory for the players to master the lyrics. He would line us up and pay us depending on who was able to sing the anthem", he added.

George Alhassan is a Ghanaian football icon, fondly remembered for his exploits with Accra Great Olympics and the Black Stars.

His most notable honour is winning two AFCONs for Ghana.

EE/EK

Ghana Football Legend George Alhassan (2x AFCON winner);

“During the military era, a national team player will only be paid his per diem after being able to recite the National Pledge. Ability to recite was important proof of your patriotism” pic.twitter.com/0JQadcldm9

— Saddick Adams (@SaddickAdams) April 26, 2024