For good three years, gold-winning Black Queens of Ghana have not received their allowances for playing for the female national team from government. Despite their numerous sacrifices for the nation, players of the national female team feel despised by the state. Some are even contemplating dishonoring any future call-up.
Even after winning gold in the just ended All African Games in Congo, the government has failed to pay them their bonuses.
Sports Minister Mustapha Ahmed admitted in an interview with Joy Sports that the Ministry’s coffers are showing red and cannot pay the players.
“We have compiled all the debts. And these debts are not debts accumulated this year. They are debts running into three years back,” he said.
According to the Minister, the situation is so dire that government “owes” the M-Plaza Hotel where the Queens lodged on their return from Congo.
Mustapha Ahmed is, therefore, pleading with the players, who are bent on taking their bonuses before going home, to leave the hotel as government finds money to pay them.
Their continuous stay at the hotel means further accumulation of debt for government, the Minister said.
The way the females are treated is in sharp contrast with how their male counterparts are treated. About three millions of dollars was flown to the Black Stars in Brazil in last year's World Cup tournament there even though the team crushed out disgracefully. In fact, the Black Stars have yet to win gold in any tournament for decades.
The Black Stars are often treated to dinners or luncheons at the presidency as a show of appreciation for representing the nation.
But after winning gold, the Queens are relishing an opportunity meet with the President or the Vice President, shake hands for at least the photo ops that come with that.
Senior sports journalists Kwabena Yeboah and Karl Tufuor also told Joy News the lack of equity will cripple women’s football in the country.
<<Print>>