Ghana To Get $8.3 million From FIFA

Use FIFA Money To Build New Stadium — Pobee Mr J. Abbey Pobee, Chairman of Neoplan Stars Football Club, has suggested that half of the $8.3 million to be given to Ghana by FIFA for the World Cup preparation should be used to build a new stadium in the country.

The remaining $4 million, Mr Pobee said, could also be used for sports development.

In respect of sports development, Mr Pobee noted that part of the money could be used to pay better remuneration to referees who will handle premier, first, second, third and colts divisions to minimise rowdyism and bribery scandals which mar soccer in the country.

Mr Pobee who was speaking to the Daily Graphic in Kumasi yesterday noted that there was enough money already sitting there for Ghana's World Cup preparations.

According to him, the Gold Fields Ghana Limited sponsorship package for this year alone could help the Black Stars to prepare for the World Cup.

He disclosed that apart from the sponsorship package, other corporate bodies like Guinness Ghana Limited and individuals were also sponsoring the Black Stars.

He was, therefore, optimistic that those monies were enough for the team's preparation.

On the issue confronting teams like Kotoko and Hearts who are finding it difficult to get venues to play their matches, Mr Pobee blamed the then GFA for woefully failing to include representatives from the big teams like Olympics and Hearts in Accra and Kotoko and Kumasi Cornerstone in Kumasi in the Local Organising Committee (LOC) when they were bidding for CAN 2008.

He explained that the experienced representatives from the big clubs could have advised the LOC on the need to build at least two new stadia in Kumasi and Accra since they use Accra and Kumasi pitches for their matches.

“If you don't have extra, why do you demolish the only one in existence?” he quizzed.