Kurt Okraku Opens FIFA Young Talent Refereeing Course, Reaffirms GFA’s Commitment to Developing Next Generation
Ghana Football Association (GFA) President Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku has opened the FIFA Member Association Young Talent Refereeing Course at the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence in Prampram, reaffirming the Association’s commitment to building a strong pipeline of elite match officials.
Simeon-Okraku, who addressed participants and FIFA instructors at the opening ceremony, stressed the importance of investing in the next generation of referees and said he made a deliberate effort to attend the programme.
“I felt it was important to be here because the future of refereeing in Ghana matters to all of us. This course is an investment in that future, and I wanted to personally encourage these young referees as they begin this important journey,” he said.
The GFA president also reflected on one of the most difficult periods in the history of Ghanaian refereeing, recalling the loss of nearly 78 referees in the aftermath of the Anas exposé.
According to him, the significant decline in the number of active officials exposed the need for a comprehensive rebuilding of the country’s refereeing structure and contributed to the introduction of the GFA’s Catch Them Young Refereeing Policy.
The initiative was established to identify promising young officials early, provide them with structured development opportunities and create a sustainable pathway towards the highest levels of football officiating.
Simeon-Okraku said the FIFA Member Association Young Talent Refereeing Course complements the GFA’s long-term strategy by exposing emerging referees to international standards and specialised training from experienced FIFA instructors.
“The FIFA Member Association Young Talent Course perfectly complements our Catch Them Young Refereeing Policy. Together, these initiatives are helping us build a strong foundation for the future of refereeing in Ghana, and I am excited about what lies ahead,” he stated.
The GFA president pointed to the progress already being made under the Catch Them Young initiative, noting that a number of referees who benefited from the programme have progressed to officiating in the country’s top competitions.
“Today, some of the referees who came through the Catch Them Young programme are already officiating in the Division One League and even the Ghana Premier League. That is evidence that the policy is working and that opportunities exist for those who are committed to developing themselves,” he said.
He urged the young officials participating in the FIFA course to seize the opportunity and approach their development with discipline, dedication and a willingness to learn.
Simeon-Okraku reminded them that their selection was an indication of their potential and encouraged them to absorb as much knowledge as possible from the instructors while maintaining the highest professional standards.
“You should count yourselves fortunate to be part of this programme. Learn as much as you can from the instructors, work hard, remain disciplined and prepare yourselves for the opportunities that lie ahead. The future of Ghanaian refereeing could very well be sitting in this room,” he told the participants.
The FIFA Member Association Young Talent Refereeing Course is designed to equip promising young match officials with the technical, tactical and physical skills required to progress towards elite-level officiating.
The programme is being delivered by FIFA Technical Instructor Essameldin Abdelfattah Hassan Abdelhamid of Egypt and FIFA Physical Instructor Boubakar Hannachi of Tunisia.
The course forms part of the GFA’s broader efforts to raise refereeing standards in Ghana and establish a sustainable development pathway through which talented officials can progress from the domestic game to national, continental and ultimately international appointments.
