Ghana’s representation at the recent CAF African Schools Football Championship extended beyond the field of play, with four young referees from the Ghana Football Association’s (GFA) “Catch Them Young Referees” program officiating in the tournament.
Adongo Angelous Akurugu and Edmund Ofoe Tetteh were among the officials for the boys’ competition, while Sophia Azumah and Cynthia Asandem took charge of the girls’ matches.
Akurugu made a notable contribution, refereeing the boys’ final between Senegal and Tanzania, while Azumah served as Assistant Referee 1 in the 3rd place match between Morocco and South Africa.
The “Catch Them Young Referees” program, which was launched in 2020, aims to discover and nurture young referees aged 13-16. The initiative equips them with essential skills and values to thrive in refereeing.
To date, over 150 young referees have been trained across the country, officiating in various competitions, including the Women’s Division One League playoffs and the MTN FA Cup.
Retired referee Augustina Fugah also played a vital role in the tournament, contributing as a fitness instructor for the referees.
