Contrary to recent media reports suggesting that the Ghana Supporters Union (GSU) faced the plight of being stranded without stipends in Abidjan after being transported to support the Black Stars, the GSU has vehemently refuted these claims. The GSU, which holds official recognition from the Ministry of Youth and Sports (MOYS), is comprised of over 10 supporter groups, and its members are currently accommodated at the Free World Hotel in Abidjan.
In a press conference convened to address these allegations, Kassim Awal, the General Secretary of GSU, emphatically asserted that all members of the group have duly received their stipends.
To provide further clarity, Awal specified that approximately 210 supporters, who were officially sponsored by the MOYS for the trip, not only received a $400 stipend but also had all their lodging costs covered.
This rebuttal from the GSU not only challenges the accuracy of the media reports but also underscores the commitment of the union and the MOYS to ensuring that the sponsored supporters are adequately supported during their journey to back the Black Stars. The clarification seeks to rectify any misconceptions and maintain transparency regarding the financial and logistical aspects of the supporters’ participation in this sporting event.
“Just before our first match, a delegation from the ministry of youth and sports ensured that everyone received a $400 stipend. So, the allegation that we are not being taken care of is not true because everything we need has been taken care of,” Mr. Awal said.
The assertion that the Ghana Supporters Union (GSU) was left stranded without stipends in Abidjan, as reported by certain media outlets, has been contested by the GSU’s General Secretary, Kassim Awal. Awal has pointed out that these allegations originated from an aggrieved member of the GSU who had distanced himself from the group following the conclusion of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
