Members of the Black Stars will contribute a percentage of their 2026 FIFA World Cup bonuses to the newly established Sports Fund, Minister of Sports and Recreation Kofi Adams has announced.

According to the Minister, the deduction is required under the new Sports Act, which mandates that a portion of financial benefits received by athletes and officials from sporting activities be channelled into the fund to support sports development in Ghana.

The Black Stars made their fifth appearance at the FIFA World Cup in North America but were eliminated at the Round of 32 stage following a 1-0 defeat to Colombia.

Speaking in an interview with Sporty FM, Mr Adams, who is also the Member of Parliament for Buem Constituency, confirmed that players have received their $100,000 appearance fees, but outstanding qualification bonuses remain unpaid.

“We also paid their appearance fee fully, and so every player was paid; no player is currently owed in terms of appearance fee,” he said.

“However, what is outstanding is the qualification bonus from the group stage to the Round of 32, and that is yet to be paid. That is also so because some deductions have to be made per the new Sports Act for every bonus that is paid and every financial benefit for officials or athletes in participating in any of our competitions; a percentage will be deducted at source into the sports fund for the development of sports.”

The Minister explained that payments of the outstanding bonuses will only be completed after the necessary deductions have been made in accordance with the Sports Act.

He noted that the Sports Fund administrator had drawn attention to the legal requirement, which applies to all bonuses and financial benefits received by athletes and officials.

“Some deductions have to be made per the new Sports Act for every bonus that is paid and every financial benefit for officials or athletes participating in any of our competitions; a percentage will be deducted at source into the Sports Fund for the development of sports,” Mr Adams stated.

Mr Adams admitted that the initial payment of the $100,000 appearance fee to each player was made without the required deductions but assured that measures were being taken to regularise the process.

“Unfortunately, when we paid the $100,000 earlier, those deductions were not made, so our attention has been drawn to the sports fund administrator that it is lawful, and if we don’t do it, we will be going against the law.”

He said officials from the Ministry are currently working with the Sports Fund to determine the exact amount to be deducted from the already paid appearance fees and the outstanding $30,000 qualification bonuses.

“So my officers are working with the Sports Fund to determine how much that comes to on the $100,000 that was earlier paid and the outstanding $30,000, so that will be deducted when the Ministry of Finance releases the money.”

The Minister added that the payment of the remaining bonuses depends on two key actions: finalising the Sports Fund contribution and the release of funds allocated by the Ministry of Finance for Ghana’s participation in the World Cup.

“So we are waiting on two actions. One is how much will be paid as the percentage contribution to the sports fund from the bonuses, and for the Finance Ministry to release the money allocated for our participation in the World Cup,” he added.