The Tema Sports Stadium is to be given a facelift to promote sporting activities in the Municipality, Mr Samuel Evans Ashong Narh, Tema Municipal Chief Executive announced in Tema on Saturday.

He said the Assembly has carried out a thorough survey of the boundaries of the stadium and a report has been forwarded to the Ministry of Youth and Sports for consideration.

There will be expansion of the stadium and realigning of the layout with special attention to the playing field and seating arrangement among others.

Mr Narh made the announcement during the annual awards ceremony of the Tema Referees Association (TRA) of which 20 referees received awards with Mr Christian Mensah Atatsa adjudged the best referee.

He noted that the municipality lacks a well-constituted sports controlling body for sports development, and said the assembly has initiated a process to revive the "Tema Municipal Sports Council".

The Mnicipal Chief Executive said it will not only encourage football but other sporting disciplines including athletics, table tennis, boxing, volley ball, lawn tennis, hockey, basket ball and squash.

In order to sharpen the skills of referees on modern techniques, Mr Narh called for periodic courses for referees, which he said should be manifested in their work to prevent situations where spectators question their decisions.

Alhaji Yusif Adam Ibrahim, Chairman of the Executive Council of Ghana Football Association (GFA) said the association intends cutting down the number of referees for Premier Leagues.

He expressed concern about continuous cases of poor performance among the referees adding that "there is clear indication that there are falling standards among the referees.

"In view of this, re-fresher courses would be organised for referees at district and regional levels to upgrade their knowledge in order to bring sanity into the game," Alhaji Ibrahim said.

He however, warned that after the intended courses which would be launched in April this year by the GFA, those who continue to perform poorly will be banned from the association "because it is our aim to set standards".

Alhaji Ibrahim said referees are at liberty to support any team or club but this should not influence their decisions since it could create rowdyism and hooliganism among spectators.