The players of Ghana’s U20 women’s national team, known as the Black Princesses, have finally received their outstanding bonuses.
These bonuses date back to last year during the qualifying matches for the 2024 U20 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Initially, each player was owed $6,000, but after a revision by the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the amount was reduced to $4,500, which has now been paid.
Delayed Payments Sparked Public Outcry
Despite the Black Princesses’ impressive performances, which saw them qualify for the World Cup for the seventh consecutive time, they had not been paid their bonuses.
This delay led to mounting public pressure on the Sports Ministry to fulfill their obligations to the team.
In May, the Sports Ministry did pay the Black Princesses for their victory at the 2023 African Games, where each player received the cedi equivalent of $3,000.
However, it was only recently that the arrears for their World Cup qualification were settled.
Preparation for World Cup in Full Swing
As the Black Princesses prepare for the upcoming U20 Women’s World Cup in Colombia, the payment of these bonuses comes as a relief.
The team is currently camping in Cape Coast, focusing on their preparations for the tournament, which begins on August 31.
The Black Princesses are placed in Group E and will face tough opponents, including Japan, New Zealand, and Austria.
Their first match will be against Austria on September 2, followed by games against Japan and New Zealand three days apart.
Focus on Success at the World Cup
With their financial issues now settled, the Black Princesses can fully concentrate on their World Cup campaign.
The team, led by coach Yusif Basigi, aims to reach the knockout stages of the tournament. Their preparation and determination will be crucial as they face some of the world’s best U20 teams.
The support from the Sports Ministry, although delayed, will hopefully motivate the players to give their best on the global stage.
Ghanaian football fans will be eagerly watching to see how the Black Princesses perform in Colombia.
