The members of the national hockey teams were seen smiling following a GHC10,000 pledge made by the Director General of the National Sports Authority, NSA, Prof Peter Twumasi for their heroic performance in the 2020 Tokyo Olympic qualifiers in South Africa last month.
Though the Black Sticks were unable to make it to next year’s games in the Japanese capital, the female team won silver medal to maintain their position as Africa second best whiles their male counterparts finished the qualifiers as bronze medalists.
The team which went to the tournament with a limited budget were given refreshing promises by the boss of the NSA including a planned visit to the presidency, payment of per diems and some allowances due the team and an amount of GHC10,000 when the team presented the medals to his outfit in a short ceremony at the Accra sports stadium on Wednesday.
In a brief speech, Prof Peter Twumasi congratulated the players for their achievements.
“You have made Ghana proud. Hockey is one of the sports we have penciled down to prepare very well ahead of the 2023 African Games to be hosted in Ghana. There are a lot of packages for you which I won’t disclose now but I can assure you that there are plans to get you present your medals to the president at the Flagstaff House.”
“I will urge you all to shine wherever you are. Be disciplined, respectful towards your trainers and I’m highly optimistic you will get to wherever you desire to be soon.”
The handlers of the team which was led by the Vice President of Ghana Hockey Federation, Elizabeth Sarfoa King took the opportunity to register their displeasure towards how hockey players are treated before during and after competition.
Story by Michael Okuley
Twitter: @MikeOkuley