....After Ghana’s bronze-winning feat
MEMBERS of the Black Queens are to receive $2,500 each for winning bronze at the just-ended Second African Women’s Championship (AWC) held in South Africa.
Each member will receive $1,000 for qualifying for the semi-finals and $1,500 for winning the bronze.
The Minister of Youth and Sports, Mr. E.T Mensah, announced this at his office when the team called on him yesterday.
Welcoming the team, Mr. Mensah also congratulated them on behalf of the government for their achievement, which he described as commendable, considering the odds they faced before and during the competition.
He said the team has shown a lot of promise which needs to be enhanced, urging the National Sports Council (NSC) and the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to give the team all the needed support to ensure that they excel at the world stage.
“I would want to see the General-Secretary chase logistics for the Queens in the same manner he would do for the Black Stars or any of the national teams, and make sure that what is due them is given to them”, Mr. Mensah further noted.
On his part, Col. George Brock, the acting Chief Executive of the NSC said the performance of the Queens at the competition was an indication that they are capable of achieving more laurels and advised them not to rest on their oars but strive to achieve more success in the future.
Alhaji M.N.D Jawula, chairman of the GFA, also thanked the team for the honour they have brought the nation, advising that they should maintain their self-discipline and begin training towards qualifying for the 2003 World Cup.
He also announced that FIFA, the world soccer governing body, had approached the nation to host the maiden ladies U-19 tournament scheduled for 2002. This request, Alhaji Jawula said, has been tabled before the Ministry of Youth and Sports and it is under consideration.
