The Upper West Regional Football Association on Thursday, 26th September 2024, held a successful annual congress on the theme: fixing the fundamentals - empowering the grassroots.
The UWRFA Chairman, Alhaji Daudi Sadugu Yahaya, in his welcome address, applauded the GFA President, Kurt Simeon-Okraku, for the free License D coaching course, which has equipped the young coaches to contribute their quota towards the development of the game at the grassroots.
He expressed congress gratitude to the GFA President once again for paying officiating for clubs at the regional level last season.
"As the famous Oliver Twist will say, we want more ,and by this, we are appealing to the GFA president to get us an AstroTurf, which will serve as a training facility for our various Juvenile teams preparing for national competitions." Alhaji Daudi Sadugu Yahaya said.
The GFA Vice President, Mr. Mark Addo, who was the special guest of honour, began his speech by extending warm greetings to Congress on behalf of the GFA President and the Executive Council.
He emphasized the importance of unity and collaboration within the football community in the region and the need for club administrators to learn best practices from each other especially in the area of branding, marketing and promotion.
He announced that the GFA would continue to support the RFA in several areas including but no limited to payment of officiating fees, logistics, Subvention, monthly allowances for RFA Chairmen, their Vice Chairman, Referees Managers, a decision that was met with applause from Congress.
Mr. Addo also revealed that the GFA has invested in capacity building at the grassroots level for boys and girls football, a clear indication to developing and empowering the next generation.
Again, he stressed the importance for all RFAs to commence the mandatory girls colts U13, U15, and U17 leagues in the District Football Associations just like that of the boys colts league. This he said , will make the girls and boys U15 and U -17 inter districts' festivals more competitive and beneficial.
Furthermore, Mr. Addo edged the RFA to mirror the activities and procedures of the GFA's to ensure a more cohesive and efficient corporate governance structure .
He then tasked the UWRFA to adopt strategies to market and promote their local leagues, urging them to work closely with local radio and television stations.
He concluded by urging the UWRFA to start their local leagues on time as scheduled by the GFA to avoid delay and also give the players ample rest period.
He also commended the RFA for working with the DFA Chairmen, the regional referees manager in making the Catch them young refereeing policy a success. He donated Referee Uniforms, Whistles, Cards, flags amongst others, on behalf of President Kurt E. S Okraku and the Executive Council.
Congress came to a close with a renewed sense of purpose and a clear road map for the season.
GFA Communications