Kurt Okraku is the President of the Ghana Football Association
Ghana Football Association (GFA) President Kurt Okraku has described the ‘Catch Them Young Refereeing’ initiative as the most impactful policy he has introduced since taking office.
Launched five years ago, the programme targets children aged 13 to 16, identifying and grooming them to become professional referees capable of officiating at both juvenile and senior levels of Ghanaian football.
Speaking in an interview with Metro Sports, Okraku said the initiative was born out of his belief in the potential of young people and the need to strengthen the foundation of refereeing in the country.
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“People often talk about referees making bad calls, but I also see referees making very good decisions. More importantly, I see the unquenchable desire of young people who want to excel,” he said.
According to him, that passion inspired the rollout of the Catch Them Young Refereeing strategy, which he believes is already paying dividends for Ghana football.
“It is perhaps one of the best gifts I have given to the Ghanaian game since I assumed office,” Okraku noted.
However, the GFA President stressed that the success of the programme depends on sustained investment, urging stakeholders to commit more resources to the development of young referees.
“We need to find the resources to support these kids, especially in training. There must also be continuous training opportunities, not only for the young ones but even for the more experienced referees,” he said.
The Ghana Football Association believes that early development, consistent training, and recognition of young referees are crucial to improving officiating standards and ensuring long-term excellence in Ghana football.
NA/MA
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