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We welcome another round peg in a round hole

We welcome another round peg in a round hole

When Lawyer Prosper Addo was appointed recently as our GFA General Secretary we saw him as a Round Peg in a Round Hole. And last month, Mr Alex Kotey was appointed as the FA’s new Referees Manager. He cannot but be described as another Round Peg. Meaning that he is very suitable and qualified for the position. His duties are rather many.

Among others, he is to undertake the following:
1.    Organise courses for Referees, Referees Instructors and Assessors.

2.    Produce teaching materials in line with the Laws of the Game.

3.    Assist the Referees Committee.

4.    Carry out all administrative duties of the refereeing department.

5.    Coordinate courses and events of refereeing.

6.    Provide management direction and support for all GFA refereeing events, courses and competitions.

7.    Analyse and report on referee performances.

The new Referees Manager has come to the job with a very solid and tested background. Alex Kotey refereed actively for twenty years, including an eight-year stint as an International (FIFA) Referee. And he had refereed at all match levels, including various tournaments ending at the 2008 AFCON hosted in Ghana. He has an unblemished record on the field of play. So honest was he that during the 2008 AFCON matches, he was cunningly denied the opportunity to handle the quarter-final match between Cameroun and Tunisia. Rumours had it that authorities wanted Cameroun to qualify for the final and win the trophy. They had to skip unbending Alex Kotey because they could not bring any pressure on him to handle the match to give them their “expected result”. I know for a fact that as a referee, it was difficult and impossible for club officials locally to manipulate him. They never wanted him in their home matches, but rather preferred to have him in their away matches because he would always be fair and firm.

As part of his much-admired credentials for his job, referee Alex Kotey is also a CAF/FIFA accredited Match Instructor, Commissioner and Referee Assessor. That makes him an all-round Referees Manager. But that is also his Achilles Heel. There are many retired referees who boast the same qualifications. And a few of them might have earned their accreditation before him. But the fact is, the position was advertised. The applicants were many, shortlisted and he has come out as the Referees Manager. A position that has given him responsibilities and duties. Since he cannot single-handedly handle the portfolio, he should group the others into committees that would work with him for the growth and benefit of football.

Indeed, all of us should understand, appreciate and accept the fact that we need an established structure to administer Referees’ Affairs.
Referee Kotey is not a new person in referees administration. He too should therefore see his position as a Primus Inter Pares.

Above all, the leadership of the RAG must accept, respect and acknowledge the position of the Referees Manager. None of us can therefore walk past him and go to the GFA Chairman, his Council members or the General Secretary. We have to adapt, and quickly too.

 

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