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Beyond the FIFA badges

Ref Serlom Yao Bless (left) receiving his badge from FA President, Kurt Okraku
Ref Serlom Yao Bless (left) receiving his badge from FA President, Kurt Okraku

Twenty-two FIFA badges were presented to Ghanaian referees and assistants based on their performance from the previous year.

Historically, FIFA gives these Referees’ badges for the calendar year to the top ranked referees from the previous year who excel in both local and international matches.

And, owing to the importance of referees not only in sports but other spheres of life, it is important to congratulate them instead of attempting to denigrate the feat.

It is a major feat in every sense of the word. Selecting 22 from a field of hundreds of match officials across the country should tell us that these group of officials have done something good.

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The recipients comprised 10 Centre Referees, 10 Assistant Referees, a Futsal Referee, Beach Soccer Referee, and Video Assistant Referee (VAR).

Officiating has been one of the most challenging areas in sports in Ghana, especially football and it is a global phenomenon.

In fact, the recent rift between the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the International Boxing Association (IBA) leading to the latter’s split is as a result of ills committed by referees.

Football has not been spared of the controversies associated with officiating with announcement of referees’ sanctions flying around most of the time.

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In the Ghana Premier League (GPL), it is a major worry for clubs, especially when they are faced with away matches where some of their calls beats one’s imagination.

A lot of the incidents that have clouded the game’s integrity in controversy have come from referee’s decisions with the unfortunate May 9 Accra Sports Stadium incident.

At the presentation ceremony, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) President, Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku, and General Secretary, Prosper Harrison Addo, congratulated the officials and made statement I found very profound.

“This is not to say that there have not been challenges. Refereeing is an art that has to grow continuously. On that journey of growth, there will be mistakes. On that journey of growth, there will be challenges.

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“But when you are very motivated and your eyes are fixed on excellence, you continue to invest in yourself and to challenge yourself towards being much better at every given opportunity. That’s why I’m so happy about the performances you guys have put up on the African continent, especially. We will continue to push and to ask for more opportunities for you. And I hope that when such opportunities come, you will not disappoint us.”

The duo were right in their statements but what they failed to add were the roles expected of them to play in order to ensure that the performances of these referees are improved and make those investment in themselves.

Referees themselves have complained about treatment meted out to them on several platforms. They go for months without being paid their allowances.

In a funny and jovial manner, some shared how they take loans from their wives/partners to enable them travel to match destinations and return on that same money source.

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If such a debt hangs around the neck of the referee, how can he get the concentration to interpret the laws of the game on the field of play?

The only way out for such a referee would be to officiate to the gallery of the home team who as host would make every pleasantry available to the referee – accommodation, feeding, money and others.

This is the reason why the FA must put in place the needed measures to ensure that the referees gets the needed support to improve their standards.

In cases when they are found culpable of some of the incidents that mars a game, they must be quickly sanctioned to serve as a deterrent to others.

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By Andrew Nortey

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U-15 Boys team arrives in Israel for prestigious Mondialito tournament

The National U-15 Boys team have arrived in Israel for the prestigious Mondialito invitational tournament, taking place from April 2-6 in Eilat.

This tournament brings together top young footballers from around the world for a high-level competition, promoting cultural exchange and soccer excellence.

Notably, the Mondialito tournament has an impressive track record, with over 1,000 past participants going on to become professional footballers. Ghana’s participation in this tournament underscores the country’s commitment to nurturing young talent and providing opportunities for its youth teams to gain international experience.

The administration has been working tirelessly to provide platforms for its youth teams to excel, and the Mondialito tournament presents a fantastic opportunity for the U-15 team to compete against top-level opposition.

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Premier League: Hearts of Oak aim to end winless run against Nations FC today

Hearts of Oak will aim to end their three-game winless run when they welcome Nations FC to the Tuba Astro Turf on Thursday, April 3, 2025.

Hearts dropped yet another crucial point at Gold Stars FC for the third successive week (W2, D1, L2). They are currently behind Medeama SC in 5th position in the league table with 37 points, having scored 20 and conceded the joint least goals (13).

The Phobians are among the top ten best home performers in the league this season, following four consecutive victories in their last five home fixtures. Aboubakar Ouattara’s men will be desperate to secure all the spoils on Wednesday.

Nations FC have won one, drawn one and suffered three defeats in their last five league matches, having scored the second joint most goals (24) and conceded the second joint least goals (14). They are currently occupying the 5th position in the league table with 36 points after 23 appearances this season.

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Kasim Mingle Ocansey’s men are the best away performers in the league despite failing to win any of their previous three consecutive matches away from home (D1, L2). They’ve amassed 18 points from their twelve away games this season and will be keen to continue their magnificent performance away from home on Thursday when they trip to the capital.

Hearts of Oak have played Nations FC once at home in the league since the Abrankese lads gained promotion into the Premier League last season with the game ending in a 2-0 victory for Hearts of Oak.

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