I have not presented US $1,000 each to Starlets -Deputy Sports Minister

It was reported earlier that as part of the promise by the government, players of the team were presented US $1,000 each by the deputy Sports Minister Hon. Pius Enam Hadzide after the victory over Niger.

But the deputy minister in a contrary statement has come out with the following,

My attention has been drawn to a story making the rounds on social media that I paid a winning bonus of one thousand dollars each to the National under 17 team the Black Starlets for qualifying for the finals of the ongoing Afcon U-17 tournament in Gabon. I wish to react and state as follows;

1. The Ministry of Youth and Sports does not pay winning bonuses in cash. Winning bonuses are paid by cheque into accounts of beneficiaries.

2. Winning bonuses are also paid in the cedi equivalent of the the agreed amount.

3. I did not pay winning bonuses to the players of the National Under 17 team for qualifying for the finals

4. Yes, I was at the stadium and later joined the players in the dressing room to motivate them at my own cost to forge ahead. The one thousand I gave was for a small refreshment for the entire contingent for a the great work done.

Signed

Hon. Pius Enam Hadzide

Daakyehene Kwabena Amoabeng | ahotoronline.com| Sports