The Elite U15 Boys Colts Championship may have dazzled fans with stunning goals and extraordinary young talents, but one name stole the spotlight for an entirely different reason — 14-year-old referee George Abekah Mensah. The young official, who took charge of the final between Northern and Ashanti Regions, emerged as the Best Referee of the Tournament, winning the admiration of fans, players, and dignitaries alike.
A native of the Central Region and a student of Besease Methodist Junior High School, George is a proud product of the Association’s Catch Them Young Refereeing initiative. Despite his tender age, his confidence, composure, and decisiveness in officiating the pulsating final left the crowd in awe. On several occasions, his spot-on calls drew spontaneous applause from dignitaries in attendance — a rare moment of respect that underlined just how remarkable his performance was.
George was not alone on the historic day. He was ably supported by Godfred Danful from the Western Region, a student of All Saints Anglican Junior High School, who served as Assistant Referee 1. On the opposite line was Vincent Abolga from the Upper East Region, a student of Zuarungu Senior High School, who worked as Assistant Referee 2. The fourth official duties were expertly handled by Sylvester Faith Egblorgbeli, a student of Asuom Senior High School in the Eastern Region. Together, the quartet — all members of the Catch Them Young Referees program — showcased the bright future of refereeing in Ghana.
The final, which ended 1-1 and was decided by penalties, demanded maturity and authority from the officials, and George rose to the occasion in style. His ability to manage the tempo of the match, command respect from the players, and deliver accurate decisions proved that age is no barrier to excellence when talent and training meet.
The young referee’s breakthrough moment is being hailed as a shining example of the GFA’s commitment to grooming the next generation of referees. By investing in children like George, the Catch Them Young Referees initiative is not only strengthening the officiating pipeline but also inspiring countless young boys and girls to see refereeing as a rewarding career path.
In the end, while Northern Region lifted the championship trophy, it was George Abekah Mensah who became the unsung hero of the tournament, walking away with the accolade of Best Referee — and the promise of an even brighter future in Ghanaian football.
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