Seventeen-year-old referee Angelous Adongo Akurugu, a product of the Ghana Football Association’s Catch Them Young Refereeing Policy, has been appointed to officiate the Ghana Premier League fixture between Berekum Chelsea and FC Samartex on Sunday.
Akurugu, a student of Navrongo Senior High School, continues to attract national attention as one of the most promising young officials emerging from the GFA’s talent development pathway. His appointment to handle a top-flight league match is seen as a major endorsement of his rapid progress, technical competence and maturity on the field.
The Catch Them Young initiative, launched by the GFA to identify, train and groom young referees across the country, aims to build a new generation of world-class officials capable of competing on the continental and global stage. Akurugu has been one of the standout performers on the programme, consistently demonstrating confidence, strong decision-making and a good reading of the game.
Sunday’s match at the Golden City Park in Berekum is expected to be highly competitive, with league leaders FC Samartex facing a traditionally strong Berekum Chelsea side. The GFA has expressed confidence in the young referee’s ability to manage the high-pressure atmosphere that accompanies Premier League fixtures.
Observers say Akurugu’s appointment underscores the Association’s commitment to giving opportunities to young talents while strengthening refereeing standards nationwide.