We welcome another round peg in a round hole (II)

The new Referees Manager is not new to any referee or to any referee problem. My advice though is that he must let the past go and not hold on to any offence. He should regard the past as a war and a learning process and the present as victory for all.

In order that he would be fine in his spirit and perform to the satisfaction for all of us, he must resist temptation to pay back. With this mentality, half of his job is already done. He should not carry hatred, anger and bitterness into his new office.

Referee Alex Kotey has a simple job to perform technically because of his astute qualities and ability, although he has arrived at a difficult, critical and crucial time in our football. For the past two years, Ghana football has faced a lot of difficulties. There will be high expectations from all stakeholders on the performance of our referees. There is the need to reorient them. If they do not do well, it will be a minus for him.

Indeed, discipline has already started with the ZERO TOLERANCE for any form of contact between referees, club owners and their agents. The situation whereby accommodation and feeding are arranged by home teams for visiting referees should be a thing of the past. It is un-Ghanaian and should not be encouraged in our local football. We are aware that in international matches, home teams welcome visiting match officials at the airport and drive them to pre-arranged hotels and accommodation. This policy cannot be practiced in Ghana where security at matches and our referees own value systems cannot be guaranteed.

Reading through the duties and responsibilities of our new Referee Manager clearly shows that GFA at long last wants to put the control of at least the referees list and those who handle their matches under one single authority. This is good because the compilation and control of the referees list is the key to quality refereeing.

Administratively, technically and above all, it is heart-warming to have Referee Kotey. I am sure he will not ignore his colleagues like Dr Tetteh Opai, Richard Attifu, Mike Amedior and Justice Yeboah. These are technically very good Referee Instructors that he will certainly find useful. Fact is, there are very good and competent referee handlers in the country. The referees themselves are technically good. The only problem is what brought about the Anas Episode 12.

Referee Kotey happens to be a Deacon of the Ghana Baptist Church. Indeed, I hear he is the Board Chairman of the Deacons Group. He should therefore have no problem in upholding high morality and humility. As already pointed out, he should not carry any bitterness, anger and hatred into his new job. I welcome him unto his seat as I believe he is a Round Peg in a Round Hole.

Bon Arrive, Alex.