Ghana MMA trains referees, judges in Accra

The newly founded Ghana Mixed Martial Arts Federation (GHAMMAF) have held a one-day seminar in Accra to train officials on the rudiments of the sport ahead of the first ever MMA championship in Ghana on October 20.

The GHAMMAF was founded this year and is affiliated to the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) with executives being Mr. Collins Kofi Zoiku as President, Mrs Jamirah Mahama as Vice President, Lucy Lateef as Secretary, Dauda Fuseni as head of administration and Maxwell Borquaye -head coach, Victor Ackon assistant coach, Emmanuel Akpabli - Technical Director.

Saturday's seminar was the first step towards promoting and developing the sport in this country and saw a total of 20 officials made up of 14 judges, 5 referees and one cut man trained at Hospital Engineers near the Latter Day Saints church, Kokomlemle, Accra.

The referees of course officiate fights, the judges rule on the verdict and the cut man is the one who tries to stop blood from coming out of a cut during a fight.

Ade Sawyerr, Vice President of Ghana Karate-do Association took the participants through the judge and referee course whilst Emmanuel Danflo of St. John's Ambulance took them through the cut man course.

"The aim of the seminar is to certify officials who will officiate MMA championships in Ghana especially the first ever upcoming MMA championship scheduled to take place on October 20th, 2017 at Bukom Square," explained GHAMMAF President, Collins Kofi Zoiku.

"Ghana is the second country in Africa to host this seminar apart from Mauritius and that tells how determined we are to develop the sports not only in Ghana but Africa at large," Mr. Zoiku stated.

He added: "The seminar is a good course toward the right direction and I'm happy the sport is gaining popularity gradually in the country and we are therefore appealing to corporate bodies to assist by offering sponsorship to develop the sport."