Ghanaian sports broadcaster Eli Kondoh has achieved another significant milestone in his sporting career after earning the International Blind Sports Association (IBSA) Goalball Level 1 Refereeing Certificate during the Berlin 2026 Goalball Nations Cup in Germany.
Kondoh, who travelled to Berlin for the prestigious tournament, successfully completed the required officiating assessments and took charge of several matches throughout the competition, earning certification from the sport’s global governing body. The achievement officially places him among IBSA’s internationally certified Goalball referees.
The Berlin Goalball Nations Cup is one of the world’s premier Goalball competitions, attracting national teams of blind and visually impaired athletes from across the globe. The 2026 edition featured 16 countries competing for top honours in a tournament renowned for its high level of competition and technical excellence.
Goalball is a unique Paralympic sport that demands exceptional concentration, teamwork and spatial awareness. All players wear opaque eye shades to ensure equal levels of vision, while the ball contains bells that allow athletes to track its movement by sound alone. Absolute silence is required during play, with referees enforcing quiet to enable players to hear the ball clearly.
Spectators are encouraged to reserve their applause and cheers for breaks in play, after goals, and at the conclusion of each period, helping to preserve the silent environment that is essential to the sport.
Kondoh’s latest accomplishment reflects his commitment to broadening his contribution to sports beyond broadcasting, while also promoting the growth and recognition of para sports both in Ghana and on the international stage.
