The next generation of Ghanaian match officials will be given a prominent role at the second edition of the MTN Elite U-19 Championship, with 20 referees selected under the Ghana Football Association’s (GFA) Catch Them Young Referees policy preparing to officiate at the tournament.
The group will report to the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence in Prampram ahead of the competition, which is scheduled to take place from 24 August to 4 September 2026.
The contingent is made up of 10 referees and 10 assistant referees. Together, they will oversee matches during the 11-day championship, providing the young officials with an important opportunity to develop their experience in a competitive and well-organised football environment.
Their involvement is a central part of the GFA’s Catch Them Young Referees policy, which is focused on exposing promising officials to the demands of match officiating at an early stage of their careers. At the MTN Elite U-19 Championship, the selected referees will be required to apply the Laws of the Game while working in the high-pressure setting of a national youth tournament.
The competition will feature 10 Regional U-19 teams, bringing together some of Ghana’s most promising young footballers for a closely contested youth football championship.
While the teams compete for the MTN Elite U-19 Championship title, the young match officials will carry responsibility for ensuring that each game is managed fairly and professionally. Their decisions will form an important part of the tournament, alongside the performances of the players and the work of the competing Regional teams.
The championship will therefore provide two parallel opportunities: for the footballers, it will be a platform to compete at a high level among leading youth sides from across the country; for the referees and assistant referees, it will offer practical experience of handling matches within a structured tournament.
The GFA’s decision to include 20 officials under the Catch Them Young Referees policy means the tournament will serve not only as a competition for the participating U-19 teams, but also as a stage for the development of Ghana’s emerging refereeing talent.
With the opening date of 24 August approaching, the referees are preparing to take their place alongside the young players at the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence. Their progress throughout the event will be closely linked to the smooth and impartial running of the fixtures as the Regional teams pursue the championship crown.
The MTN Elite U-19 Championship will conclude on 4 September 2026 after 11 days of competition, having brought together 10 Regional teams and the 20 officials tasked with applying the Laws of the Game.
