21 REFEREES RECEIVE FIFA BADGES.

By Ebenezer Zor

a cross section of some referees.

In all 21 referees from the Referees Association of Ghana (RAG) were presented with FIFA badges at a press conference held at the GFA hall last Friday in Accra.

Seven men starting with William Agbovi Serlom, Hamidu Salifu, Cecil Fleitcher Amatey, Samuel Gyasi, Joseph  Lamptey, Reginal Lortbridge and Thomas Nunu Micha were tagged as FIFA center referees while the other seven assistant FIFA officials  were as follows; David Nelson, Nii Armah Ashitey, Ibrahim Adams, David Laryea, Dawood Briamah, George Kwadzo and Salifu Malik Badu.

In the women category, three namely Delight Alorbu, Theresa Bremansu and Zigah Christine Enyonam were presented with the FIFA centre referees badges whiles the others made up of Aglagro Emmanuela, Vugah Augustina and Abigail Sowah and Beatrice Tord also received their  badges as assistant center referees.

A member of  the referee committee, Mr. J.K Andoh stated the badges would inspire them to work hard towards the growth of the game especially the premier league and the world at large.

Immediately,  Ghana Football Association president Mr. Kwei Nyantakyi believes referees are always ambassadors and knowledgeable in the application of the rules and regulations on the field of play.

“But your performance to the highest should not be subjected to suspicion rather live beyond reproach adding that  referees  need keep fit always ahead of every game” he noted.

Mr. Nyantakyi charged the referees committee to maintain the compulsory medical exams and also not stop their 12 rounds lapses daily exercise as required by the CAF likewise FIFA as a manner of keeping fit all time.

“Those chosen must maintain their standard and continue since attainment is grounded on performance to officiate at the world level adding there should be no room for the intake of alcohol in the discharge of their duties” he stressed.

Dilating on other issue of importance, Mr. Nyantakyi confirmed that referees have been paid up to the fifth week out of the 15 weeks because there have been irregularities flow of money from the Glo telecommunications as sponsors of the premier league.

Mr. Nyantakyi promised his outfits would do every possible to crack smile on their faces before the commencement of the second round fixtures of the 2012/2013 Glo premiership season.