Rally behind the Stars at CHAN - Afriyie-Ankrah urges

The Minister of Youth and Sports, Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, has urged Ghanaians to rally behind the Black Stars in their current campaign for a first African Nations Championship (CHAN) laurel at the ongoing tournament in South Africa.

He says he is confident the team can reach far, having started on a good note, but urges the team to lift up their game after winning their first match and drawing against Libya last Friday. 

Speaking to the Graphic Sports in an interview last Saturday, the sports minister would not preempt any decision by government to reward the team should they win the competition.

Asked whether the Stars would be presented with a special package should they win the CHAN tournament, Elvis had this to say: “I am the Minister of Youth and Sports but I don’t represent the entire government. It is a decision that the entire government has to take so I can’t preempt that for the entire government”.

He explained that like all other teams in any tournament, the current CHAN team would be paid any bonuses promised them after each game.

He refused to stick his neck out on any decision to reward Maxwell Konadu’s boys like the State did for the Black Satellites who won the Under-20 World Cup, only saying that Ghanaians should pray for the team to bring the trophy home then the necessary appreciation would be accorded them.

The minister expressed his belief in the Stars going far in the tournament should they prepare and psyche themselves up well.

He, however, cautioned the team not to underrate any opponent since there were no longer minnows on the continent now.