The Ghana Football Association (GFA) is expected to disburse a total amount of $565,772.42 to five Ghanaian clubs as World Cup benefits.
The clubs, namely; Asante Kotoko, Hearts of Oak, King Faisal, Dreams Football Club, and Steadfast Football Club are set to receive the said financial rewards for their contributions to the Ghana national team’s campaign at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Information gathered indicates that Hearts will receive the highest amount, $219,008.70 followed by Asante Kotoko on $200,757.97, and lower division side Steadfast FC taking home $109,504.72.
The other clubs Dreams and King Faisal received $18,250.72 each.
The said amount is being paid due to the involvement of some players from the clubs, Hearts of Oak for Afriyie Barniah’s length of stay with the Black Stars, and Asante Kotoko for Danlad Ibrahim’s presence in camp.
Division One side Steadfast FC and Dreams FC are on the receiving end due to Abdul Fatawu Issahaku while newly relegated from the premiership, King Faisal will compensate themselves with the money following Danlad Ibrahim’s loan stint with the club.
The FIFA Club Benefits Programme is an initiative that is designed to recognize the contribution of football clubs during World Cup periods.
It sees clubs also get rewarded financially from proceeds from the tournament with the distribution done through member associations to clubs which made their players available for their respective national teams.
The initiative was first introduced ahead of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
The financial reward is given to clubs that the player was registered with during the World Cup qualifiers as well as during the time of the tournament.
The Club Benefits Programme will see USD 209 million distributed to clubs across the world for their player contribution to Qatar 2022.
The same amount was distributed following the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
In comparison, the share of benefits for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil was USD 70 million, which was an increase from USD 40 million allocated for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.