ARTICLE:IS TOO MUCH FOR STARS!

WRITER: Ebenezer Zor
Government must reject the total financial proposed budget concerning the 29th edition of the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2013 in South Africa for the Black Stars.
 

The fact that Ghana is hungry to lay its grips on the continental crown next year in South Africa does not call for such a’ Gargantuan’ motivation for the team to die for the  nation. In any case the entire team should take cognizance of the fact that it is about time they us players make history and not cause financial fear and panic in the country.
 

For instance, their appearance fee for the AFCON in South Africa alone worth US$15,000(GH¢ 30,000.00) per player and officials as well aside their winning bonuses yet to be unfold. If the team constitute fifty personnel just do the calculations to discover the amount of money the nation will be spending on the team.
 

When did the technical men and committees begun to demand for the same allowances or salaries with the players as appearance fee? It is only FIFA tournaments that require such demands not African Cup of Nations competitions.  This act is a cheap means of amassing wealth papery.
 

Again in the proposed budget is US$17,000 (GH¢ 340,000.00) as a price for qualifying from the group stages to the quarter finals, US$22,000 (GH¢ 440,000.00) for semi-final stage and US$25,000 (GH¢ 500,000.00) per player and officials in the grand finale in next year AFCON in South Africa.
 

For all we know these players are unpredictable.  I will not be surprise if they opined that after all third place is nothing whiles the country is yearning for a continental wear for thirty –one years.
 

It hurts me a lot to ask this question: “On what basis should the Black Stars receive such a colossal amount as an appearance fee for rendering their patriotism to mother Ghana”? And what are we doing with the sponsors too?
 

We should not forget that our mothers and fathers, every able persons worked do hard in the sun all day and within some hours their huge taxes are offered on a silver platter for just 90 minutes players and technical men…….. They are joking!
 

There have been several motivations since 2006, and what do see, our hopes and mood are always shattered anytime Ghana get close the ultimate. You will see players who supposed to put icing on the cake mess up and cause the country to rip a loss.
 

Come to think of it, if all the other sporting disciplines follow suit for their activities, where do we think we are heading towards?
 

The performance from the current Black Stars squad does not merit such an amount. Ghana has done so much for them. It is about time they also do something more meaningful for the nation in the form of conquering Africa next year in South Africa.
 

The government should not let go such huge sum of monies whiles there a lot of problems facing the nation.
 

For me the idea of appearance and media fees should be quash out. However if the players need such money then there should be a consensus that their target is the trophy not third place and for that matter “NO TROPHY, NO BONUSES”.
 

The Ministry of Sports and Finance through the government must do everything possible by reducing the exorbitant demand; otherwise it may either raise mayhem or increase the country’s world debt.