The National Sports Authority has slapped a hefty GHS 30,000 (about $6,833) fee on organizers of the Stephen Appiah Testimonial match for the use of the Accra Sports Stadium.
The NSA are also demanding a 35% share of the total gate proceeds to be realized from the game as an alternative deal before renting out the stadium facility for the June 27 event, GHANAsoccernet.com understands.
Appiah will be bidding a final farewell to his fans after announcing his retirement from active football earlier this year.
He is assembling an array of world football stars – some he played with at both club and international level – for an exhibition game in Accra.
But organizers, Primeval Media is facing a huge obstacle in securing the Accra Sports Stadium for the testimonial match as they have to raise the hefty amount being demanded by the NSA for renting out the stadium.
One would have thought that authorities would have relaxed their clearly excessive demands as part of their contribution in showing appreciation to the former Ghana skipper who excited majority of Ghanaians during his active days.
But the NSA think otherwise and are treating the testimonial match from which a chunk of proceeds will go into Stephen Appiah's Foundation to foot social intervention programs purely as a money making venture.
Primeval media officials are however unwilling to disclose the difficulties being faced by the high charge of the NSA.
"We are engaging with officials of the National Sports Authority," Primeval Media CEO Larry Opare Otoo told Asempa FM.
"I don't think they have an entrenched position and we will continue to engage them in negotiating figures."