The Administrative Secretary of Bia West Division two league side Young Boys FC in Sefwi Yawmatwa, Dennis Boakye Yiadom, has made a passionate appeal to the Western Region Football Association (WRFA) Referees Appointment Committee to select referees from within the Bia West district to officiate Bia West zone division two matches.
In an interview on “Sefwinews Sports Night” with Kwame Asmah Adolf, Dennis Boakye Yiadom lamented that the cost of transporting referees from distant locations, such as Wiawso and its environs, to Bia West is crippling the clubs financially.
“It’s becoming unbearable for clubs to pay the transport allowances of referees,” Boakye Yiadom said.
“The home teams are responsible for covering the transport costs and officiating allowance of the three referees and the match commissioner, which can amount to around GHC 800, excluding other expenses.”
Dennis Boakye Yiadom emphasized that this financial burden often leaves clubs with debt, as they struggle to recoup the costs from gate fees.
He stressed that there are competent referees within Bia West who are certified by the WRFA to handle division two matches.
The issue has already had a significant impact on the league, with Bia Stars unable to raise funds to pay officiating fees, resulting in losing 3 points and 3 goals to their bitter rivals Adjoafuaman Fc.
Mr. Yiadom’s plea to the WRFA Referees Appointment Committee is to consider the financial constraints of Bia West clubs and appoint local referees to officiate matches, thereby easing the financial burden on the clubs.
