I did not hijack Stars tickets — Minister

The Minister of Youth and Sports, Nii Lante Vanderpuye, has denied hijacking the printing and distribution of tickets for last week’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier between the Black Stars and Mambas of Mozambique at the Accra Sports Stadium.

Media reports had suggested that the minister took charge of ticketing which compelled the Ghana Football Association, organisers of the match, to purchase tickets for the FA hierarchy led by GFA President Kwesi Nyantakyi, and for its corporate partners, following their inability to receive their allocation of complimentary tickets.

However, the minister, in response, stated that he only insisted that extra security measures should be taken to reduce the stealing and loss of revenues to the state during matches involving the Black Stars.

“I never took responsibility of the printing of tickets and complimentary passes. I was not responsible for the sale and distribution of tickets,” the minister told the Graphic Sports in a statement.

Mr Vanderpuye explained that he instructed the National Sports Authority to ensure the validation of all tickets and complimentary passes at his office before distribution, but the instruction was not follows to the letter for which he would ensure the culprits are dealt with.

“I, the minister, only took possession of my complimentary passes at 2.25pm, just 25 minutes to the match,” he explained further.