Ghana’s representation at the recent CAF African Schools Football Championship went beyond football matches, with four products of the Ghana Football Association’s (GFA) flagship “Catch Them Young Referees” program actively involved in officiating matches.

Adongo Angelous Akurugu and Edmund Ofoe Tetteh refereed in the boys’ competition, while Sophia Azumah and Cynthia Asandem officiated in the girls’ competition.

Notably, Akurugu refereed the boys’ final match between Senegal and Tanzania, and Azumah served as Assistant Referee 1 in the 3rd place match between Morocco and South Africa.

The GFA’s “Catch Them Young Refereeing” policy, launched in 2020, aims to identify, educate, and train young referees aged 13-16, providing them with the necessary skills and values to excel in refereeing.

To date, over 150 young referees have received training nationwide, and have gone on to officiate in various competitions, including the Women’s Division One League playoffs, regional Colts Leagues, regional Division Two and Three Leagues, Division One League Super Cup, and MTN FA Cup.

Retired referee Augustina Fugah also contributed to the tournament, serving as a fitness instructor for the referees.

President of the Ghana Karate-Do Federation, Mr. Nathaniel Johnson, has been elected as a board member of the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) for the next four years.

This marks a new chapter in Johnson’s sports administration career, and he is eager to make a lasting impact. 

Mr. Johnson polled 38 votes, to secured one of the three co-opted member slots on the board, demonstrating the confidence and trust that his peers have in his leadership abilities.

In a chat with Spectator Sports, the head of the Karate-Do Federation stated that he brings a wealth of experience in business administration, management, and digitalization which will come in handy for the GOC board. 

He said, “I plans to leverage these expertises to drive innovation and progress in Ghanaian sports. One of my primary objectives is to promote grassroots sports development, providing opportunities for young athletes to excel, while aiming to enhance the GOC’s digital presence, engaging fans and stakeholders more effectively.”

As one who is committed to supporting athletes and coaches, Mr. Johnson expressed his desire to collaborate with other board members to introduce initiatives that provide resources and training opportunities to help athletes improve their performance across the various sporting sector.

According to him, “I intend to work closely with other board members, sports federations, and stakeholders to advance the GOC’s vision and goals, by building strong relationships and partnerships, to secure more funding and resources for sports development programmes, ultimately benefiting Ghanaian athletes and the sports community.”

He added that he is passionate about the development and promotion of sports excellence in Ghana, and sees His election to the GOC board as a testament to his dedication and commitment to Ghanaian sports. 

“With my leadership skills and experience, I believe I am well-positioned to make a positive impact on the board and inspire others to strive for excellence,” he concluded 

BY RAYMOND ACKUMEY