[Kofi Addae, GNA Special Correspondent in Libreville, Gabon]

Libreville, Feb. 10, GNA – The Confederation of African Football has honoured posthumously Ghana's Major (rtd) George Lamptey with the Order of Merit (Gold) award in recognition of his contribution to the development of football on the continent.

The late Sports administrator was honoured alongside three others for the unrivalled contribution to the growth of the game during the 34th CAF Ordinary General Assembly on Thursday in Libreville, Gabon.

The award was received by referee Joseph Lamptey, son of the former Ghana Football Association (GFA) Chairman from CAF President, Issa Hayatou. “I’m extremely delighted to share in the lifetime achievement of Major George lamptey. On behalf of my family, we appreciate this award and are grateful to CAF for recognisng the work and achievement of my father,” Lamptey told the Congress. Major (rtd) Lamptey, who chaired the GFA from 1975 to 1977, passed away in February 2011 at the age of 82. He had a distinguished career in refereeing serving as an international referee from 1963 to 1974.

He was a FIFA and CAF Referee's Instructor, as well as served on the CAF Referees Committee from 1988-2003.

On January 19, 2006, he was decorated with the CAF Order of Merit Award (Silver) by CAF President, Issa Hayatou in Cairo, Egypt in recognition of his contribution to the development of African football.

Others also honoured were French Journalist Gerard Dreyfus, Madam Karam Mostafa, former CAF Director of Finance who served the Confederation for 37-years and Tunisian Baccar Mohieddine.