The Ghana Football Association (GFA) needs a whooping one million dollars for the successful organisation of next month's four-nation soccer tourney.

The Stars are scheduled to host the Desert Hawks of Sudan, the Squirrels of Benin and United Arab Emirates for the November 17-21 Championships at the Ohene Djan Sports Stadium in Accra.

Kwesi Nyantakyi, President of the GFA said the amount is expected to cover air tickets, accommodation, appearance fee, prize monies and other organizational expenses of the team.

The football association intends to raise funds for the event through sponsorship.

Mr Nyantakyi said that Goldfields Ghana Limited, headline sponsors of the Black Stars have contributed $130,000 towards the championships as part of the existing sponsorship.

The President said the GFA has so far been able to raise $170,000 through the sale of the broadcast rights of the event to South Africa-based satellite TV Company, Afrisat.

The deal, according to Mr Nyantakyi was sealed last week that gives Afrisat rights to telecast all matches of the four-day championships live to Ghanaians and across the globe.

The GFA boss remains optimistic of raising the remainder of the amount in their quest to organise a successful organisation.

The championship will be the final preparatory test for the Stars before they emplane for their camping base on January 6, for the Ghana 2008 Africa Cup of Nations.

Sudan was last week confirmed as replacement for Guinea who pulled out after being drawn in the same group as the Stars.


Source: GNA