Black Queens forward, Samira Suleman, has opened up about the dire consequences faced by some of her teammates who were compelled to retire following the Sports Ministry's failure to settle outstanding bonuses dating back to 2016.
The revelation comes after the Black Queens staged a protest at the Ministry of Sports in 2016, demanding payment of approximately $25,000 owed to each player in unpaid bonuses.
These bonuses were accrued from their participation in various competitions, including the 2016 African Women's Cup of Nations, 2016 Rio Olympic qualifiers, and the 2015 All-African Games, where the team clinched gold.
Responding to a post on social media platform X detailing the incident, Suleman emphasized the detrimental impact, stating, "This retired a lot of players."
Presently, the current Black Queens squad continues to grapple with unpaid bonuses stemming from their qualification matches for both the African Women’s Cup of Nations and the 2024 Olympic Games. Each player is reportedly owed $7,500, despite enduring a 50% reduction in their bonuses.
Suleman, who has been absent from the Black Queens since publicly criticizing the Ghana Football Association in 2018 for their disparate treatment between the Black Stars and the women's team, remains an outspoken advocate for fair treatment and equitable compensation for female athletes.