<<Print>>

The Minister of Youth and Sports Clement Kofi Humado has allayed the fears of soccer faithful about the whereabouts of the $11m World Cup cash at a meet-the-press session in Accra. Before yesterday�s program, it was widely speculated by the sporting populace that the money accrued from the 2010 South Africa World Cup had been diverted for a different purpose. But the Sports chief revealed that his outfit and the Ghana Football Association (GFA) were making frantic efforts to ensure that the money was used for the intended purpose. Hon Humado noted that there were arrangements with the GFA regarding pre financing the team prior to the South African showpiece which the latter agreed to pay back on return. �We are in talks with the FA to find ways to resolving the issue. There were arrangements as a result of which government financed additional expenses of the team. �The money is not missing, it is government�s coffers and it will be made available to its beneficiaries soon,� the Minister stated. Rolling out plans ahead of the 28th Equatorial Guinea/Gabon Nations Cup for the Black Stars, he mentioned that government had purposed to provide the necessary assistance to ensure that the Stars go all out to break the 30-year trophy-less jinx and win the tournament for the fifth time. And to improve on the performance of the national football teams, Hon Humado pointed out that the Ministry in collaboration with the FA, embarked on a colts football development program. �In this regard, school football is being encouraged under the current GFA policy of no school no football program,� said the Minister. Responding to the deplorable state of some of the country�s stadia and how some are being under-utilized, he said his outfit and the National Sports Authority were in talks to partner private entities to revamp it and make good use of the facilities. According to the sports boss, government had plans to construct two indoor sporting facilities; one for the northern and the other for the southern sector, as well as an Olympic Stadium at Prampram. He mentioned the clawing of 19 medals at the 10th All African Games, the revival of the National Sports Festival, now Unity Games after a seven-year absence, the lifting of the IOC ban on the GOC, hosting of the amputee tourney last month, hosting of cricket championship, and Grand Prix in Kumasi as some of his high points since assuming office a few years ago. He attributed his achievements to his transparency and consensus leadership style.