Match commissioners asked to live above reproach

Kumasi, Aug 11, GNA - Mrs Theresa Akua Baah, Chairperson of the Ashanti Region Schools and Colleges Sports Federation has called on Match Commissioners to endeavour to live above reproach.

She said under no circumstances should they condone and connive with referees and team officials to change facts and figures as well as submit unreliable data to officials of soccer matches.

"Such acts undoubtedly cast a slur on the reputation of match commissioners generally", she said.

Mrs Baah, who is also the Headmistress of Kumasi Girls' Secondary School was speaking at the closing session of an orientation course in Kumasi at the week-end for 30 Match Commissioners drawn from the Ashanti Region.

The course was to enable the participants to update their knowledge and skills in the performance of their duties during football matches.

She underscored the importance of quality delivery and said it was imperative on them to acquaint themselves with the various facets of the laws of football as enshrined in the GFA, CAF and FIFA regulations and to harness them to attain the standard required.

Mrs Baah said some members of the public may not be aware of the functions of Match Commissioners and urged the media to educate football fans to create the awareness on their functions, saying, "it is a necessity that should not be overlooked".

She said reports have indicates that members of the Ashanti Region Match Commissioners Association have been performing very creditably at the national level and commended them on their performance and hoped that they will continue to keep up such standards to move Ghana soccer forward.

Mr George Kofi Nkrumah, Chairman of the Association advised the members not to make their reports public, saying, "Anything you write must be private and confidential".

He urged them not to accept gifts since it will turn out to be a form of bribe and asked them to be fair to all clubs and should not be seen to be identified with any club.

Mr Christian Kwame Yeboah, Chairman of the Ashanti Regional Football Association expressed his appreciation to the organisers of the course and hoped that it would help them to improve on their performance. 11 Aug. 04