A breakdown of the proposed expenditure for Team Ghana during the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil has been announced by the Minister of Youth and Sports, Elvis Afriyie-Ankrah following the State’s approval of a release of GHS10,500,000 or about $9.8 million to the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
Speaking to the press on Wednesday, the Minister said the amount would cover the country’s participation in the first round of the World Cup but progression to the latter stages of the competition would call for the release of an additional amount of about GHS 14,000.
According to the Minister, Ghana’s run in the first round in Brazil would cost GHC 1,885, 215, with a second round berth costing around GHS 837, 909, and GHS 1,047,339 for a quarter final place.
He explained that FIFA would pay for the team’s travel expenses from Accra to Rio de Janeiro meaning the team’s trips to the Netherlands and the United States for preparation would be catered for by the state’s budget.
He also gave the details of the backroom staff that would in Brazil in addition to the players.
According to the Minister, “a ten-member technical team would also go to Brazil. They will be made up of the head coach, two assistant coaches, a physiotherapist, team doctor, a masseur, welfare officer, kit manager, a video analyst and a psychologist.”
He also revealed the addition to the team of the Serbian alternative therapist, Mariana Kovacevic, whose placenta treatment has made her popular around the world. The Minister indicated that her methods were appreciated by the Stars players and “they like her”.
She will be part of another ten-member support team which will have a media officer, an extra medical doctor, a team administrator, a protocol officer, an extra physiotherapist, two National Security operatives, two caterers and a drummer.
Ghana’s first match in the 2014 World Cup will be against the United States on the 16th of June, 2014.
By: Nathan Quao/ citifmonline.com/Ghana