Ghana’s Sports Minister advocates for patriotism and nationalism among national team players

Ghana’s Sports Minister Mustapha Ussif has entreated national team players to exhibit the spirit of nationalism and patriotism whenever they get the opportunity to represent the country.

The statement was made during the GFA 29th Ordinary Congress on Monday, July 10, 2023, at the Great Hall of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Sciences and Technology (KNUST).

The various national teams have failed to deliver at major tournament in recent times. Both the Black Stars and Black Meteors were unable to progress from the group in their last tournament whiles the Black Satellites are on the verge of exiting the WAFU B Cup of Nations at group stage after picking just a point in two games.

Speaking at the Congress, the Sports Minister asserted he finds it difficult to comprehend why the national teams are unable to perform despite the state providing the necessary resources to the teams.

“The management of our national team is a solemn responsibility entrusted to the Ghana Football Association. This trust comes with obligation to account to the people of Ghana for our stewardship, transparency in all transaction, memorandum of understanding, sponsorship packages, agreement entered into both foreign and local is paramount.

“The National Teams will continue to receive support from the state, and it is our duty to ensure that all resources are fully accounted for, satisfying the expectations of Ghanaians and also, it is the responsibility of the players and the technical team to exhibit the spirit of nationalism and patriotism whenever they get the opportunity to represent our country,” he said.

“In all the effort the FA is making to develop the grass root football, let me hasten to add that we should include in our development process the spirit of nationalism and patriotism among our players because I find it very difficult to comprehend that the state will make all the resources available and then, when these players gets to tournament, instead of focusing on the tournament, the focus is now on their bonuses, meanwhile they are being paid per diem. It is time for our national team players to value the flag that they represent, the flag of our country and the flag of our nation”

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