Members of the Black Satellites team that won the 2009 Under-20 World Cup in Egypt are demanding the full payment of the benefits from the GH¢10,000 per player investment made on their behalf by the government at the time.
Philip Boampong, a member of the team, is concerned over what he suspects to be an attempt by the financial institution to deny the players the full benefit of the investment.
In an interview with Global Sports Studios, the former Hearts of Oak defender disclosed that the investment company promised they could withdraw their money once John Dramani Mahama was sworn in.
He explained that the company is claiming that a percentage of the amount was channeled into insurance for the players.
Boampong argues that the players, most of whom have retired now, enjoyed no benefit from the insurance company.
“The investment has matured, and we’ve been chasing it for the last three months. The official at the finance company we’ve been dealing with told us that we could come for the money a day after John Mahama is sworn in. However, we have a problem with the amount being quoted.
“Prof Mills promised us huge benefits, but the money they are offering now is below what we were promised. They claim they used part of the money for insurance, so every year we lose a percentage to insurance. Meanwhile, we have not enjoyed any benefit from the insurance company,” he said.
Philip Boampong stated that the company claims Andre Dede Ayew, who was the skipper of the team, signed the deal on behalf of the players.
“They claim Dede Ayew signed the contract with them, and we’ve been trying to get Dede Ayew to speak to it, but Dede has not been responding to our questions,” he said.
It will be recalled that players and winners of the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup were given a $750,000 reward package.
For the players, aside from driving away the Toyota Corolla salon cars, each playing member was entitled to an investment facility worth GH¢10,000, which was estimated to mature in 15 years with the players expected to get GH¢170,000.
EK
