Accra, Nov 13, GNA - Papa Owusu-Ankomah, Minister of Education, Science and Sports says government will source for sponsorship for the Black Queens in their quest to propel the team to greater heights. The focus of the Ministry, he said was to ensure that the Queens, who last Sunday picked silver at the fifth African Women Championship (AWC) held in Nigeria, enjoy the necessary support to enable them take the world by storm when they make a third appearance at the FIFA World Cup slated for the Republic of China in 2007.

He saluted the Queens for excelling in the competition when he joined the team to a lunch at the plush La Palm Hotel in Accra on Monday.

Papa Owusu-Ankomah said the sponsorship would also aim at enhancing the team's international exposure through engaging in quality friendly games.

He reckons that but for lack of matches the Queens will have wrestled power from the Super Falcons of Nigeria for the first time in the history of the competition.

The Queens did not play in the qualifiers towards the competition after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) banned their opponents from Congo Brazzaville who failed to show up for the first leg duel that was scheduled for the Obuasi Len Clay Stadium, an issue the Minister is convinced worked against the team.

'I'm sure the story will have been different if they had played in the qualifiers'.

He said the Ministry would assist the team in every way to ensure they make the country proud during the China event. The Queens will be representing the continent alongside the Nigerian Falcons.

Both teams are making a third appearance at the world event.