Minister presents Presidential reward package to Ghana’s Tokyo Olympics team

The Minister for Youth and Sports, Hon Mustapha Ussif on Thursday, 18th November, presented to the Tokyo 2020 Ghana Olympic Team, prize packages from the President.

During a courtesy call on the President by Ghana’s team for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics at the Jubilee House recently, the President announced cash prizes to the team and a vehicle to Samuel Takyi, who won a bronze medal at the Games.

At a brief ceremony at the Ministry’s conference room, the minister reiterated the government’s commitment to developing sports across all disciplines to help position the sector into the economic transformation agenda.

Hon. Ussif further stated that the government acknowledges the major contribution that sports provide to the nation’s international image, and that growing sports is a top priority for the government.

“We are here this morning to present the equivalent of Ten Thousand United States Dollars (USD10,000.00) in Cedis, a brand new Nissan Sunny to Samuel Takyi, and equivalent of Five Thousand United States Dollars (USD5,000.00) in Cedis each to his other colleagues and coaches numbering twenty-one (21),” he said.

A total of USD 20,000 was set aside for Samuel Takyi’s professional and career development. A total of USD 150,000,00 was spent on the athletes and coaches as a presidential package for ending the Country’s 29 years Olympics medal drought.

“These packages presented to you today isn’t the team’s bonuses but the motivational packages promised by the President of the Republic during the courtesy call to him at the Jubilee House. Bonus and allowances were paid fully in time during the games in Japan,” Minister discloses.

The Minister also admonished them to stay away from illicit activities and remain dedicated to their training as the government puts in the necessary arrangements to host African Games 2023 and Commonwealth Games in Birmingham next year.

The President of the Ghana Olympic Committee, Mr. Ben Nunoo Mensah on behalf of the team, thanked the president and the minister for the gesture.

“You have always been there for us,” he added.

Samuel Takyi also thanked the President and the Minister for the continued support and commitment shown to him and his team.

He assured them of putting in much effort to ensure he brings home gold in the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham next year.