Black Maidens stranded without cash at World Cup

Almost two weeks into their campaign at the FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup in Amman, Jordan, Ghana’s Black Maidens are yet to receive their approved allowances as the purse holder from the Ministry of Youth and Sports, is yet to arrive with their cash.

The Maidens last week played through the group stages without the per diem which is usually paid almost immediately on arrival for a match or competition, but indications are that the MOYS is now making frantic efforts for the purseholder to join them.

Last Monday, the Chairman of the Management Committee, Mr Augustine Asante made a passionate plea to the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to come to their aid immediately as they were stranded and the girls felt unhappy about the situation.

In a chat with Mr Asante, the $25,000 imprest the GFA gave them for the trip had been exhausted and they were embarrassed last Monday when they had to change hotels due to their qualification to the quarter-finals, but were unable to settle their bills for the extra heads in the team.

FIFA usually takes care of 30 people, meaning any expenditure on the extra team members must be borne by the team.

Mr Asante, admitted if care was not taken, the current situation could affect the team’s psyche as they prepared for the quarter-finals against North Korea tomorrow.

“This has never happened before and we have had to really talk to the girls about the situation. Please if nothing at all, their per diem should be sent and paid to them at least for now, so they can have some smiles on their faces and be motivated for the tough quarter-final match ahead,” Mr Asante pleaded.

A source close to the MOYS confirmed to the Graphic Sports  that the purse-holder was yet to join to the team and that efforts were being made to raise some money to send to them as soon as possible.

As of yesterday, there was discussion as to how money could be raised to enable the purse-holder travel in good time to arrive in Jordan before the game tomorrow.