By: Kwame Bediako
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially appointed Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku, President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) and CAF 2nd Vice President, to chair the CAF Organizing Committee for Inter-Club Competitions and the Management of the Club Licensing System. This role places Simeon-Okraku at the forefront of African club football administration, overseeing the continent’s premier club tournaments and licensing framework.
In his new capacity, Simeon-Okraku will provide strategic leadership and oversight for the CAF Champions League and the CAF Confederation Cup, two of Africa’s most high-profile club competitions. His responsibilities include ensuring these tournaments maintain competitive integrity, operational excellence, and continue to grow in stature on the global football stage. The appointment underscores CAF’s trust in his ability to enhance the quality and appeal of African club football.
A critical part of Simeon-Okraku’s mandate involves supervising the CAF Club Licensing System, a vital initiative aimed at professionalizing club football across Africa. This system sets rigorous standards in governance, infrastructure, finance, administration, and youth development, aligning African clubs with international best practices. By enforcing these standards, Simeon-Okraku will help raise the professionalism and sustainability of African clubs.
As Chair of the Inter-Club Committee, Simeon-Okraku will collaborate closely with the CAF Executive Committee, Member Associations, and other stakeholders to implement reforms that promote long-term growth and commercial viability within African club football. His leadership is expected to drive innovations that increase the competitiveness and global visibility of CAF’s inter-club competitions, benefiting players, clubs and fans.
