Qatar 2022: We spent only $5.1m out of projected $8.1m – Sports Minister

According to Mustapha Ussif, Minister of Youth and Sports, Ghana spent around $5.1 million during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

This sum is $3 million less than the $8.1 million allotted for the competition.

“Our estimated budget at the group stage was $8.1million.

“Out of this estimated budget Mr. Speaker, our total expenditure for the group stage participation amounted to $5,171, 840.

“These expenditures covered appearance free, per diem, flight arrangements, medicals, equipment logistics, and hospitality,” Mustapha Ussif explained.

Otto Addo’s team was eliminated from the competition at the group stage after losing to Portugal and Uruguay.

In spite of defeating South Korea 3-2, the squad did not get a victory bonus for the game.

The MP asserts that the cost reductions were made possible by the ministry’s smart utilization of resources and agreement on a qualifying bonus.

On Tuesday, December 21, 2022, Mustapha Ussif made a statement in the House of Parliament.

“Mr. Speaker the reason for the surplus of $3 million after our exit from the group stage is the result of the ministry’s prudent management of resources as well as the ministry’s decision to negotiate on qualification bonus for the next round instead of paying winning bonuses per match.”

“What this means is that in spite of our black stars defeating South Korea in our second group match we did not pay any winning bonus for that game,” the Minister of Sports remarked.

Ghana will get a total payment from FIFA of $10.5 million for participating in the 2022 World Cup.

The international football governing body has already allocated $1.5 million for the senior national team’s training.

FIFA will give out the remaining $9 million in prizes to teams who advance through the group round.

The budget for Ghana was $16 million for the 2006 World Cup in Germany, $19 million for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, and $9 million for the 2014 World Cup.

In accordance with the nation’s participation in the 2006, 2010, and 2014 World Cups, FIFA rewarded it $4.9 million, $11 million, and $8 million, respectively.

Source: Ghanatodayonline.com