Football fans hoping to be at the action spots of matches of the Ghana 2008 Africa Cup of Nations would be expected to pay a gate fee not less than GH¢10 (¢100,000) for the tickets.

The 32-match competition will attract a minimum gate fee of GH¢10 (¢100,000) and a maximum of GH¢200 (¢2,000,000).

Ms Elizabeth Ohene, Minister of State in Charge of Education, Science and Sports announced this at the 'Meet the Press' briefing on Thursday to spell out the update of preparations towards the 26th edition of the biennial event.

She explained that seats behind the goal posts and the popular stands will go for GH¢10 (¢100,000) while those in the middle minus the corporate boxes will attract a rate of GH¢20 (¢200,000).

"Seats for the VIP Wings will go for GH¢100 (¢1,000,000) with the VIP Section going for GH¢200 (¢2,000,000)."

It was gathered by the GNA Sports that the pricing of the tickets for the competition was reached at a collaborative meeting involving the Local Organising Committee (LOC), Sportfive, Marketing Partners of CAF and other sponsors.

Ms Ohene announced that the Executive Committee of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has approved the Ghana 2008 LOC's selection of Turnstiles Print Limited to produce tickets for all the 32 matches of the competition.

She added that the Ministry of Education, Science and Sports, the Ghana 2008 LOC and Sportfive have entered into a contract for the latter to provide international broadcast feed for all the matches during the January 20 - February 10 championships.

She said "Sportfive will produce and make the international broadcast feed available to the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC)," adding that the national broadcasting outfit will be based in Tamale to cover all the matches live.

The Minister explained that Sportfive would provide international feed on satellite free of charge to Ghana Television (GTV) to telecast across the country and would as well be responsible for the coverage and transmission to the rest of Africa and the World at agreed costs.

On accommodation facilities at the Tamale venue which has become a subject of discussion in many quarters, Ms Ohene assured that the 240-three star hotel at the University for Development Studies constructed by Government to be used by participating teams and officials is very near completion with the Golden Tulip Hotel expected to accommodate teams in Kumasi.

She added that rehabilitation works are ongoing at the airports in Kumasi, Takoradi and Tamale with the construction of Airfield Pavements and Aeronautical Ground Lighting Systems among others.

The sector minister advised the citizens and sporting public to seize the opportunities that come with the hosting of such competition to make the best out of them.

The nation has barely three months to host the rest of Africa in the 26th edition of the continent's biggest showpiece soccer event, which spans January 20 - February 10, 2008.


Source: GNA