GOIL Rewards Black Sharks

Ghana Oil Company Ltd (GOIL) has honoured its pledge to help develop and promote lesser-supported sports in Ghana by donating GHC30,000 to the national beach soccer team, the Black Sharks.

The Pledge by GOIL to support Team Ghana at the maiden African Beach Soccer Tournament in Seychelles was made before the team left Accra 10 days ago.

President of the Ghana Beach Soccer Association, Yaw Ampofo Ankrah said the donation would be used to support the association, cover for expenses incurred before and during the tournament.

'Since we have no package for winning bonus outside the sponsorship package, some of this amount would be used as a reward for beating African champions, Senegal, and an incentive for the remaining matches.'

This is the first time the Black Sharks will be receiving any form of winning bonus since the team was formed in 2013.

Ghana has climbed up the rankings in African beach soccer in recent times despite the many challenges the association and the national team have faced in their efforts to make Ghana beach soccer a strong force on the continent.

The Black Sharks will face another strong North African side, Egypt, on Saturday at 3pm local time in Seychelles.

Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Madagascar and Senegal are vying for the two slots allocated to Africa at the World Cup.

The winners of the two semi-finals will automatically qualify for the 2015 World Cup in Portugal.