Mr Edward Osei-Kwaku, Minister of Youth and Sports, has given the assurance that as much as possible the ministry would encourage football clubs that qualify to play in Africa to seek private sponsorship to lessen their burden. He said following the Ministry's inadequate budgetary allocation it had always had to resort to private sponsorship of the national teams to complement Government's efforts.

Mr Osei-Kwaku was answering a question asked by Mr Joseph Tsatsu Agbenu, NDC-Afram Plains North, as to what financial assistance the Ministry was giving the football clubs that qualified to play in Africa this year. He said the Ministry among others takes care of the preparation of the national tams in competitive and friendly assignments and mentioned Kentis Kit, which sponsored the national Under-20 team to the World Championship held in Argentina in 2001 and Adidas Kit which sponsored the Black Stars for the CAN 2002 held in Mali this year.

Mr Agbenu asked the Minister whether gates proceeds accruing from matches could not be used to sponsor the clubs participation. The Minister said what was realised was not enough to meet the expenses involved after various deductions. Mr Mike Gizo, NDC for Shai-Osudoku asked what efforts the Ministry was making to enable the national team gain experience from the World Cup slated for this year.

Mr Osei-Kwaku said a top class coach was in the process of being engaged to handle the Black Stars and so far there were indications that with proper co-ordination and support the new coach could ensure that the country qualified in all its national assignments. Mrs Edith Hazel, NDC-Evalue-Gwira, asked the Minister whether in previous times football clubs were assisted with sponsorship to participate in competitions.

The Minister said as far as 1976, self-sponsorship had been introduced into the country and whatever profit that was accrued went to the clubs but it was obvious that at present the clubs were facing more financial demands due to the high air fares. Mr Osei-Kwaku said there was the need for the clubs to be able to market themselves well to get the needed assistance to compete in the various competitions.

Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu Osei, NPP-Old Tafo Suame, asked how much had been accrued from the Sports lotto, which was introduced some time ago. The Minister said the figure was not readily available but added that the money was meant for sports development and not for individual clubs.

Mr Abu-bakar Saddique Boniface, Ind. Salaga, asked whether there were plans to assist clubs to float shares on the Stock Exchange and the Minister said none of the clubs was financially sound to be on the Exchange since it was big businesses that could do so. When Mr Samuel Adu-Yeboah, NDC-Agona East, asked about the relationship between the Ghana Football Association and the Ministry, the Minister said there were cordial and smooth relationship between them.

Mr Osei-Kwaku said the Ministry was a policy making institution and had a complimentary role with the GFA while the Black Stars as the property of the Government had to be supported to ensure that it participated in all competitions.