The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has selected 20 young match officials to officiate at the second edition of the MTN Elite U-19 Championship, giving them an important opportunity to gain experience at a competitive level.
The selected officials include 10 referees and 10 assistant referees who are part of the GFA’s Catch Them Young Referees initiative.
They will officiate matches at the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence in Prampram, where the championship will take place from August 24 to September 4, 2026.
The tournament will feature 10 U-19 regional teams competing for the championship title. The competition is expected to provide an intense environment for both young footballers and match officials to develop their skills.
For the selected referees, the tournament will offer valuable practical experience in handling competitive youth matches. It is also expected to help the GFA assess and further develop some of the country’s promising young officials as they progress in their careers.
The championship will also provide a platform for young footballers from across the country to showcase their abilities.
Players will have the chance to improve their technical skills while competing against some of the best emerging talents from different regions.
Their performances could also attract the attention of national youth team selectors, potentially creating opportunities for future selection to Ghana’s youth national teams.
The MTN Elite U-19 Championship forms part of the GFA’s broader youth development programme and is supported by MTN Ghana.
The competition is aligned with the association’s “Power to the Youth” strategy, which seeks to create clear and sustainable pathways for young footballers and other football professionals.
