Executive Council Member Gideon Fosu, has officially opened the FIFA Member Association (MA) Elite Refereeing Course at the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence in Prampram.
The six-day programme, which runs from July 9 to July 14, 2026, has brought together 37 match officials made up of referees and assistant referees from across the country for intensive technical and fitness training aimed at enhancing their performance and professionalism.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Gideon Fosu welcomed the participants and urged them to take full advantage of the opportunity provided by FIFA and the GFA to improve their knowledge and skills. He emphasized the critical role referees play in the development of football and encouraged the officials to demonstrate commitment, discipline and a willingness to learn throughout the course.
“Referees are an integral part of the game and their performance has a direct impact on the quality and credibility of our competitions. This course presents a unique opportunity for all participants to sharpen their abilities and align themselves with the highest standards of modern officiating,” he said.
The course is being led by FIFA-appointed instructors Essameldin Abdelfattah Hassan Abdelhamid of Egypt, who serves as Technical Instructor, and Bento Tomas Navesse of Mozambique, who is the Fitness Instructor. The duo is being assisted by all 12 FIFA Futuro III Instructors, who will facilitate various technical and practical sessions during the programme.
Participants will undergo comprehensive training in areas including match management, decision-making, positioning, teamwork, communication and physical fitness. The programme combines classroom sessions with practical field exercises to ensure officials are equipped with the tools required to perform effectively at the highest level.
The FIFA MA Elite Refereeing Course forms part of FIFA’s commitment to strengthening refereeing standards across its Member Associations. For the Ghana Football Association, the programme represents another important step in its ongoing efforts to develop world-class match officials capable of excelling on both the domestic and international stage.
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