GFA initiates move to reform refereeing profession

Winneba, July 25, GNA - The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has initiated special programme to train young and a new brand of referees as part of plans to transform the country's soccer.

A first batch of 49 referees selected from the various parts of the country ended a five-day intensive intermediate refereeing course at the National Sports College at Winneba.

Mr Gorge Dasobere, Former Director of the College, said the course forms parts of the GFA's five-year football development plan of which he is the Chairman.

In a message read on his behalf, Mr Ben Koufie, Chairman of the GFA, said the course the first of its kind in the country is design to scientifically and systematically equip the referees with the requisite professional knowledge and skills to pursue their new career creditably. Mr Koufie said the newly trained referees would be reassembled soon for advance referee's course after which, they would be given GFA badges. He said the GFA's five-year development plan is principally designed to reverse the downward trend of soccer and restore the country's dwindling fortunes.

This, the GFA boss contended, can only be achieved if the three pillars-Administration, refereeing and coaching- on which football stands and of which refereeing is one, were properly and effectively build.

The five-year development plan is therefore geared at injecting new plans and ideas into the various sections of the sport.