The Member of Parliament for Ketu North, Eric Edem Agbana, has urged the government to prioritise investment in sports infrastructure instead of using public funds to sponsor supporters to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

According to him, the cost of transporting fans to the tournament would place a significant financial burden on the state while benefiting only a small number of people.

Speaking on the Citi Eyewitness News on Monday, March 9, the legislator estimated that it could cost the government at least $9,000 to sponsor a single supporter for just the group stage of the competition.

He suggested that such resources could be more productively invested in grassroots sports development.

“I do not think that the government should use public funds to take supporters to the World Cup. It will cost the government, averagely $9,000 per supporter just for the group stage. This includes flight, ticket, accommodation, and a small feeding allowance.

“Let’s assume the government wants to take 2,000 supporters, you are talking of $18 million. Now spread the 2,000 across 276 constituencies, what it means is that each constituency will have less than 10.

“If you ask me to bring even 10 people from Ketu North to go to the World Cup and you will spend close to $90,000, I will tell you that please use that to construct an AstroTurf or a sports complex for me in Ketu North,” he said.

However, the MP noted that he would have no objection if the initiative were funded by private sector partners rather than the state.