2024-12-23

Travelling

African Games 2023: LOC to spend GHS 33.4 million a day on ‘operational expenses’

The Local Organizing Committee (LOC) for the 13th African Games, has budgeted to spend a whopping US$48 million (GHS602 million) on “operational expenses”, 6 times Parliament’s approved GHS100 million.

The figure works out to around a 6-day weekly expenditure of GHS200.6 million, and a daily operational expense of GHS 33.4 million for the 18-day competition.

The details of the LOC’s spend are contained in a letter to the Chief Executive Officer of the Bulk Oil Storage and Transportation Company Limited (BOST), signed by the LOC Chairman, Dr. Kwaku Ofosu Asare, seeking sponsorship to support the LOC’s activities.

The letter was published on social media by the Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudjeto Ablakwa.

The LOC hopes to raise the monies through corporate sponsorships.

In that regard, President Akufo-Addo, held meetings with CEOs of both State Owned Enterprises (SOEs) and private businesses, to solicit for funds to support the project.

He held meetings with GOIL, GNPC, Ghana Gas, ENI Energy, McDan, Zoomlion and many others, and Hon. Ablakwa alleges that BOST has already paid US$500,000 to the LOC as part of their sponsorship.

This move is being criticized for its profligacy, and for targeting already struggling public and private companies, sparking ethical concerns and potential parliamentary actions.

Ghana won the rights in 2018 to host the multi-sport event, which was expected to take place in August 2023. But delay in completing facilities earmarked for the 29-sport event led to a postponement to 2024.

The country invested heavily in infrastructure for this purpose. They constructed the brand new Borteyman Sports Complex, completed the University of Ghana Stadium, and renovated accommodation facilities on campus to serve as the Games’ Village.

US$195 million has been invested of facilities to host the games, according to Ofosu Asare.

The games will take place from March 8-23, 2024. An estimated 8,000 athletes, technical officials and medical personnel are expected to be in Ghana during that period.

The LOC intends to procure 332 vehicles to serve transportation needs, with 55 buses, 29 Land Cruisers, 106 Saloon Cars, 26 minibuses, 78 Wagons, 30 Ayalolo buses, 5 trucks and 3 Prados.

Victor Osimhen salvaged a draw for Napoli in his first club appearance since December as they held Barcelona in their Champions League last-16 first leg.

Robert Lewandowski handed Barca the lead in the 60th minute in Italy when he arrowed an effort into the bottom corner from the edge of the area.

Barcelona were dominant against a Napoli side whose final-third efforts were often lacking in Francesco Calzona’s first game in charge.

But the hosts eventually found a way back when Osimhen slipped past his marker in the box before rifling past Marc-Andre Ter Stegen to level.

The second leg takes place in Barcelona on 12 March.

Osimhen was part of the Nigeria side who lost to Ivory Coast in the Africa Cup of Nations final in February and missed his side’s most recent league game through suspension.

The visitors had the brighter start with 16-year-old Lamine Yamal – who became the youngest player to feature in the Champions League knockout stage – making inroads on the right-hand side.

Xavi’s side pressed relentlessly in the final third, charging down Napoli’s attempts to build from the back and nullifying the hosts’ ability to threaten.

Napoli goalkeeper Alex Meret was forced to save efforts from Yamal and Lewandowski before he reacted well to palm away an Ilkay Gundogan effort from distance.

The Italian side have severely struggled in their Serie A title defence, languishing in ninth place and trailing leaders Juventus by 27 points, and replaced Walter Mazzarri with Calzona – who is also Slovakia manager – on Tuesday.

There were few signs of immediate improvement, though, and they failed to even register a shot in the first half, a first for Napoli in the Champions League.

Osimhen tried to make runs behind the defence but was often left isolated as the hosts failed to muster moves in Barcelona’s half.

Xavi’s side, who have faltered in La Liga and are eight points behind leaders Real Madrid, were dominant for much of the match, but Napoli began to grow into the game in the second half and were more energetic after making substitutions.

Barcelona broke the deadlock through Lewandowski and were headed for victory, but the hosts eventually found their footing and fought their way back to a draw.

Story By BBC Sports

Afcon: Ivory Coast and Nigeria players get cash, villas and honours

Cash, houses and honours are being bestowed on footballers from Ivory Coast and Nigeria, after Sunday’s riveting Africa Cup of Nations final.

Every player in Ivory Coast’s winning squad will pocket $82,000 (£65,000) and get a villa worth a similar amount, the presidency announced.

“You have brought happiness to all Ivorians, bravo, bravo,” said President Alassane Ouattara of Ivory Coast, which hosted the pan-African tournament.

Nigeria also got a heroes’ welcome.

Although their 2-1 loss in the final spelled heartbreak for the Super Eagles’ millions of fans at home and in the diaspora, their efforts are being handsomely rewarded by President Bola Tinubu.

Each member of the Nigerian squad has received one of the country’s highest honours – the Member of the Order of the Niger. The president is also giving them each an apartment and a piece of land near the capital, Abuja.

Third-placed South Africa are also set to receive about $52,000 per player, according to local media.

It is not clear what cash payment Nigeria’s players are to receive from the state purse.

But all of the perks listed above are in addition to the usual prize money doled out by the Africa Cup of Nations, which they say they have boosted by 40% since the last tournament.

This means that winners Ivory Coast get $7m, runners-up Nigeria get $4m, semi-finalist South Africa and DR Congo each get $2.5m, while the four teams who made the quarter-finals take home $1.3m each.

This year’s Africa Cup of Nations enjoyed the highest viewing numbers in its 67-year history – thanks to bigger broadcasting and commercial deals, and social media buzz. Almost two billion people are said to have watched worldwide.

Analysts hope the global appreciation for Africa’s footballing flair will translate into more starting slots for African teams at future World Cups.

As it stands, Africa has only nine World Cup spots to Europe’s 13, despite the fact these two continents have a near-identical number of Fifa-affiliated countries.

African national teams have in the past complained their salaries and bonuses have not been paid.

The Cameroon side who won global admiration for their quarter-final performance against England in the 1990 World Cup waited over 30 years to get houses they were promised, by which time their captain had died.

At last year’s Fifa Women’s World Cup, South African footballers won a pay dispute after sitting out a match in protest. Their hastily assembled substitutes had included a 13-year-old girl.

GSN24LIVE NEWS

Yamal and Lewandowski help Barcelona beat Athletic Bilbao

Fulham vs Leicester: Alex Iwobi’s winner helps Cottagers triumph over Ndidi’s Foxes

Arsenal survived their latest severe examination from bogey side Aston Villa to emerge with a statement victory after a thunderous encounter at Villa Park.

Roglic wins stage to close on Vuelta leader O’Connor

Baba Yara Stadium will be ready for Ghana vs. Angola AFCON qualifier, assures NSA chairman