Though government had earlier confirmed it approved a US$9.6 million budget for the Black Stars participation in the 2014 World Cup, a leaked copy of the Ghana FA’s original budget records a total amount of US$14,792,821.2 with a detailed breakdown of the amounts according to the various stages of the Coppa Mundial.
The leaked copy of Ghana’s 2014 World Cup budget with the reference number WE 251/272/02 and dated May 14, 2014, was signed by the immediate past Minister of Youth and Sports, Hon. Elvis Afriyie Ankrah and presented to the office of the Chief of Staff at the Flag Staff House.
GROUP STAGE BUDGETARY BREAKDOWN
According to the leaked budget, the GFA needed an amount of US$4,122,297.6 to fund the Black Stars participation at the group stage of the World Cup. Since FIFA was responsible for flying the participating team squads into Brazil, the GFA through the Ministry of Youth and Sports requested for US$157,500 to fund the return air tickets for GFA officials from Accra to Amsterdam to Rio and back. Another sum of US$157,500 was requested for the payment of the accommodation and feeding costs for the officials for 14 days at US$750 per day. The Per Diem allowance for each of the 15 officials stood at US$150, meaning government was expected to provide US$31,500 in total. US$3,000 was also need to pay for the visas fees of the 15 officials.
Staying with Ghana’s expenses expected to be funded at the group stage of the World Cup, government was also expected to pay US$3,157,893.6 for the appearance fees for 40 Black Stars players and officials, which is 5% tax inclusive. The GFA proposed a 10% increase in appearance fees for the team meaning government was supposed to add an extra amount of US$315,788.4. The budget also outlined a 10% increase in the qualification bonus for 40 Black Stars players and officials for US$2,492.63 per head in one group game totaling US$299,115.6 over three group matches, which is 5% tax inclusive.
ROUND OF 16 STAGE BUDGETARY BREAKDOWN
If Ghana had reached the Round of 16 stage of the World Cup, government would have been required to spend a total of US$1,713,691.6 with US$78,750 covering the accommodation and feeding costs of 15 additional GFA officials for 7 days at US$750 per day. Another sum of US$112,500 was requested to cover the accommodation and feeding costs of another set of 15 GFA officials for 10 days at the same US$750 per day. The appearance fees for 40 Black Stars players and officials, which is 5% tax inclusive, covered a total of US$1,263,157.6. The 10% increase in appearance fees for the 40 Black Stars players and officials came up to a total of US$126,315.6. Another 10% increase in the Black Stars qualification bonus for the Round of 16 stage for 40 players and officials stood at US$132,968.4.
QUARTER FINAL STAGE BUDGETARY BREAKDOWN
If the Black Stars had managed a qualification to the quarter final stage of the World Cup, the GFA would have expected a total of US$1,944,783.6 to cover the team’s expenses at the last 8. Government would have been required to spend US$45,000 on the accommodation and feeding costs of 15 additional GFA officials for 4 days at US$750 per day. Another sum of US$112,500 was requested to cover the accommodation and feeding costs of another set of 15 GFA officials for 10 days at the same US$750 per day. The appearance fees for 40 Black Stars players and officials, which is 5% tax inclusive, covered a total of US$1,473,684. The 10% increase in appearance fees for the 40 Black Stars players and officials came up to a total of US$147,368. Another 10% increase in the Black Stars qualification bonus for the quarter final stage for 40 players and officials stood at US$166,231.
SEMI FINAL STAGE BUDGETARY BREAKDOWN
According to the budget, the breakdown for the last 4 stage would have come to a total of US$2,041,162.8 with US$45,000 and US$112,500 covering the accommodation and feeding costs of 30 GFA officials respectively. The appearance fees for 40 Black Stars players and officials, which is 5% tax inclusive, covered a total of US$1,684,201.4. The 10% increase in the Black Stars qualification bonus for the semi final stage for 40 players and officials stood at US$199,452.4.
THIRD PLACE BUDGETARY BREAKDOWN
The government would have been required to pay a total of US$2,365,618 if Ghana had reached the third place play-off. US$33,750 and US$112,500 would have been used to fund the accommodation and feeding costs of 30 GFA officials respectively as done in the earlier stages of the competition. The appearance fees for 40 Black Stars players and officials, which is 5% tax inclusive, covers a total of US$1,894,736.8. The 10% increase in the Black Stars appearance fees stood at US$189,473 while the qualification bonus for the third place match came up to US$135,157.6.
BUDGETARY BREAKDOWN FOR FINAL
In the concluding part of the leaked budget, government would have been required to pay a total of US$2,605,267.6 for the funding of the Black Stars if the team had had stayed in competition long enough to reach the final. US$33,750 and US$33,750 would have been used to fund the accommodation and feeding costs of 30 GFA officials respectively. The appearance fees for 40 Black Stars players and officials, which is 5% tax inclusive, covers a total of US$1,473,684. The 10% increase in the Black Stars appearance fees stood at US$767,999.6 while the qualification bonus for the grande finale came up to US$296,084.
But, was the GFA’s US$14,792,821.2 2014 World Cup budget presented to government though the Ministry of Youth and Sports approved? That’s a big question is still trying to answer. More to follow…