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Gamblers invade Queens' camp
(From Veronica Commey, GNA Special Correspondent in
Hangzou, China. Courtesy Ministry of Education, Science and
Sports)
Hangzou, Sept 19, Ghanadot/GNA - A host of gamblers have
invaded the camp of Ghana's Black Queens in a quest to
influence the last Group C game against Norway at the
Hangzou Dragon Stadium on Thursday.
Agents of some betting companies who are dotted around the
team's plush Radisson Hotel at the heart of Hangzou have
their sights on three influential players ahead of the game
for which the Ghanaians must win to restore their pride.
The GNA Sports has information that the betting agents who
have made frantic efforts to court the three - two defenders
and another defensive midfielder are offering 22,000 dollars
to each of the players.
In exchange, they are asking for the players to help let in
six unanswered goals in the game, which was originally
scheduled for the Shanghia Stadium on Wednesday.
Players and officials of the team were engaged in a crisis
meeting where the former were cautioned to stay off unknown
visitors, according to reliable information pieced together
by GNA Sports a few hours ago on Wednesday.
A well-built gentleman of a North American descend, a
suspected betting agent that the GNA Sports came in contact
with questioned almost every black female in sight of her
identity as he visibly displayed the names of the three
players on a sheet of paper in hand.
The GNA Sports has confirmation that three of the players
who came in contact with some of the well-dressed men at the
reception of the team's hotel took to their heels the moment
they were enquired about their names.
The telephone lines in the players' rooms have subsequently
been disconnected in pursuit of the officials to cut every
form of contact with the betting agents.
The lines are expected to be restored after tomorrow's duel.
This comes a few weeks after former national goalkeeper
Abubakari Damba made the news for allegedly acting as the
middle man for some agents and a number of players of the
Black Meteors during an international friendly with Saudi
Arabia.
The Queens has lost all two games played so far and enter
tomorrow's game as the underdogs with a mission to play for
pride.
The Ghanaians lost 1-4 to Australia in the group opener
before succumbing 0-4 to Canada four days on.
GNA
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