GFA Referees Manager, Alex Kotey
The Referees Manager at the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Alex Neequaye Kotey, has revealed that he began his refereeing career in 1988 after completing the required training.
He explained that he decided to pursue refereeing during his early education and undertook various courses to equip himself for the profession.
Speaking on Sports Check, aired on GhanaWeb TV, Kotey stated that he passed all the necessary courses and was accredited as a referee in 1988.
Alex Kotey speaks on poor officiating and VAR controversy on Sports Check
“I started refereeing in 1988 after going through examinations and fitness tests. At that time, you had to complete those before being enrolled. I passed successfully, attended lectures, studied the 17 laws of the game, and wrote the exams. If you passed, you became a Class 3 referee. So in 1988, I started, and by 1989, I was officially a Class 3 referee,” he said.
Kotey noted that his greatest ambition was to officiate at the FIFA World Cup, which did not materialise, but he remains proud of his accomplishments.
He shared that after gaining 20 years of experience and earning a license to become an instructor, he chose to retire to give others the opportunity to excel.
“From the beginning, my goal was to become a FIFA referee and officiate at the World Cup that was the dream. I became a FIFA referee for eight years. Although I didn’t achieve the ultimate goal of officiating at the World Cup.
“I reached every major level in Africa. I officiated at the CAF Under-17 and Under-20 tournaments, the biggest one, the AFCON, and even reached the semi-finals of the CAF Champions League. I think it was a good run, though I would have loved to do more. I entered refereeing at age 25, and after 20 years, at 45, I bowed out quietly and became an instructor,” the veteran referee added.
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Meanwhile, watch the latest Sports Check interview with Alex Kotey, the GFA Referees Manager below:
