Ghanaian referee to officiate in the States

Sports Writers Association (SWAG) referee of the year, Joseph Wellington has been invited by United States Soccer Federation as the only African referee to officiate in this year's 24th Dallas Cup.

A fax message signed by Daniel T. Flynn, Executive Director of the Dallas Cup Incorporation to the referee in Accra and copied to the GNA Sports said "the federation would like to extend a formal invitation to referee Wellington to participate in this outstanding event".

The 10-day event kick starts on April 23 this year.

The annual event traditionally attracts referees from many countries around the globe including Africa.

Asked about the criteria for selection, the Ghanaian referee told the GNA Sports that the organisers have independent observers around the globe who pick such referees using the Confederation of African Football (CAF) or FIFA organised competitions.

Wellington was said to have preformed creditably well in Mali barely a month ago when he refereed in an African under-17 qualifier.

He was reported to have been hit by malaria moments before the match but never showed signs of fatigue throughout the game.

Wellington assured SWAG that he would do his best to proof that being named as Ghana's referee of the year was not a fluke.