The national U17 male team, the Black Starlets have been promised $5000.00 each by government if the team reaches the final of the upcoming Total U17 Africa cup of Nation 2017 in Gabon.
The team has been drawn with host Gabon, Cameroon and Guinea in Group A, dubbed “group of death” in a two-week tournament starting from May 14 -28, 2017.
Mr Pius Enam Hadzide, Deputy Sports Minister made this known at the Kotoka international airport before the departure of the starlets to Gabon to prepare and acclimatize for the tournament.
He said an agreement was reached with the team on how much they would receive at the different stages of the tournament, as well as a special package if they win the ultimate.
“We have a budget for the tournament…government is working hard to meet all the demands of the team to make the players and management very happy. We anticipate that the team will win 5 matches and by winning 5 matches they would have won the cup and at the end of that we expect that each player will take home a bonus of $ 5000.00.
There is a surprise for the team if the cup comes home, but that one will be left for the proper authorities to announce” he said.
Per the break down, the team will earn $ 3000.00 in the group stages and a $ 1000.00 each in the semis and final stages.
The Starlets will come against Cameroon on May 14th at the Stade de POG in Port Gentile, Gabon.
The four semi Finalists will qualify for the world Youth Championship in India later this year.