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Black Stars: Nii Lantey asks why local players can't be used for Rwanda game

By Allsports.com.gh
Sports News Black Stars: Nii Lantey asks why local players can't be used for Rwanda game
AUG 30, 2016 LISTEN

The Minister of Youth and Sports , Hon. Nii Lantey Vanderpuye has quizzed the purpose of playing a domestic league in Ghana if players cannot be given the opportunity to represent the senior national team of the country.

Since Ghanaian players' quest for professionalism abroad in the early 90s, invitation for national team assignment has been stereotype to the detriment of local players.

The Ghana Black Stars have already sealed qualification to the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations. The technical team invited foreign-based players for the tie against Rwanda to the dissatisfaction of the sports minister. READ ALSO: League's best response to Sports Minister jab should be delivered in crunch four rounds

Nii Lantey, a former Sports Commentator, has questioned the purpose of playing the Ghana Premier League.

"Are we saying that for every match of the Black Stars you have to bring foreign-based players even when we are playing against Gbewaa United?

"Is that what you're saying, that we can never raise a team from our local league to feature during emergency situation, is that we are saying? Then why are we playing the local league?

"Then what is the motivation, what is the incentive for those players who are playing in the local league?" Nii Lantey quizzed in an interview with Joy FM.

The Sports Ministry has declined to buy flight tickets for the invited players to fly into the country for the game, but a chunk of the players have bought their own tickets, why Andre Ayew will cater for the cost of the those who can't afford a ticket.

Nii Lantey eulogised their patriotism and have asked that they should not demand for bonuses should they win the encounter on Saturday. SEE ALSO: Sports Minister should stop polluting Ghanaians with untruths

'If the players decide to be patriotic and decide to buy their own ticket and come and play, not ask for any winning bonus and go, I would be happy because this is what I have been saying all along; that they need to be patriotic," he said.

He further reiterated that the Ministry is financially handicapped and can't afford to finance this match.

"We think we need to cut cost. We have already qualified for the Nations Cup so the outcome of this game is not important. Why do we want to kill a fly with a sledge hammer?' Vanderpuye asked.

'We don't have the finances. When we were playing more important games we did not make this request.

"The situation now demands that this is the most prudent step to take.

"We don't have a budget for this match. It is that simple. We have other more competing demands. The money is not mine, it belongs to the state," he stated.

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