Richmond Attipoe in action at the Rabo Hockey Junior World Cup

Out of Africa

Editor Cathy Harris talks to former Ghanaian midfielder and rising international umpire Richmond Attipoe 

Richmond Attipoe, 33, started his umpiring career in 1986 when he was still playing prior to retiring in 2003. He says he was inspired by the confidence shown in him by the top two teams in Ghana, the Exchequers of Bank of Ghana and Trustees of SSNIT, who asked him to officiate in a league match when one of the umpires was late. 

It was then that he realised he had something to offer. So, in his words, he “went for it”, although he admits it was hard to give up playing because he was really enjoying it. 

Attipoe made his international umpiring debut at the African Club Championship in Pretoria, South Africa, in 2003. He took charge of the final between South Africa and Egypt and in the same year was in Abuja for the All African Games as well as the 1st Afro Asian Games in India. 

Following his performances he was awarded an FIH international badge. Attipoe is hugely grateful to all the umpire managers he has worked with and who have advised him, notably Bob Davidzon and Clive McMurray. 

He was born in the Western Region of Ghana and hails from a small village in the Volta Region call Anyako and was partly brought up in the Western and the Greater Accra Region which is the capital of Ghana. 

Married, he has a four-year-old daughter Eva Esi Nanaforwah Attipoe. He currently works as an official at the Treasury Office with the Central Bank of Ghana. 

Attipoe became involved in hockey in 1985 when he was at secondary school and he believes his passion for football actually helped him develop a quick understanding of hockey. 

Not surprisingly, he was called up to the regional team in 1987 and which won the gold medal at a Sport Festival in 1990. That same year he was voted best midfielder in the domestic league before going on to represent the Ghana team until his retirement. 

More about Richmond
My greatest fear…
Honestly the word fear has never been part of me. I believe in life once you stay focused and have the right frame of mind you should not fear anything. Once you have a feeling of fear, you are defeated and defeat is what we should always guard against. 

I handle disappointment…
As individuals we always set targets and once we don't achieve them we get disappointed. These disappointments should rather strengthen us for the future. We should reflect on the causes of our disappointments and move on. But I always listen to music when am disappointed and just reflect on the causes. 

I regret…
I honestly do not think and believe that I have ever regretted anything in my life. I keep telling people before taking any actions or decisions in life you should also be prepared to face the consequences and never regret your action. This has always kept me going. 

The game I remember best was…
My first feel of the artificial turf during the 5th African Club Championship in Kenya in 1990. We won bronze.

The player I most admire…
This is a very difficult on for me because I believe in team play rather than the individual, but as I really admire the German play I’ll settle for Natascha Keller.