Abuja 2003: No intention of discrimination

Accra, Oct. 13, gna- The Ministry of Education , Youth and Sports today assured the general public that every effort is being made to maintain the high spirits in the camp of Ghana's contingent at the all Africa Games in Nigeria.

This is in the wake of the hulaboloo that has been generated in their camp over payment of bonuses to the Meteors, the national U- 23 team.

A statement from the Ministry today explained that " what happened in the case of the Meteors was a genuine attempt to motivate them to qualify for the semi-finals of the soccer competition after a singular performance against Cameroon in Kalabar.

It explained further that a member of the Ghana delegation, Prince Oduro Mensah, MP and chairman of the Parliamentary Select Committee, made a promise of one thousand dollars to the team for their efforts in order to spur them in their next match to earn qualification to the semis.

" This obviously did not go down well with the rest of the contingent and meeting were held with them to explain the peculiar circumstances and to assure the rest of the contingent that there was no intention to discriminate against them."