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Govt set to retrieve $3 million from GFA

The Ministry of Youth and Sports says it will retrieve the $3 million cash  that governement paid to the Ghana Football Association (GFA) in respect of the appearance fees for the Black Stars at the World Cup.

It said the amount would be taken from Ghana’s share of the World Cup prize money as soon as it hits the FA’s account.

Mr Mahama Ayariga, the sector minister, who made this known at a press briefing in Accra last Monday said the amount, which was airlifted to the team in Brazil ahead of Ghana’s group clash with Portugal, was a loan to save the FA from a dire situation.

He disclosed that government was in constant touch with the FA which had promised to inform government upon receipt of Ghana’s $8m share of the World Cup proceeds so that the money expended on the national team would be paid back into government’s coffers.

He said "the money is not a gift as many Ghanaians think, we loaned it to them (GFA) and will collect it as soon as FIFA's money hits their account”.

Players of the Black Stars boycotted training ahead of the Portugal game due to delayed payment of their appearance fees of $100,000 each, compelling the government to resort to the airlift of the money to Brazil.

Mr Ayariga also hinted that as a measure of improving sports facilities in the country, he was taking inventory of all sports facilities to have a fair idea of what was available to inform his Ministry of what measures to take to address the situation.

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