CAF President’s Outstanding Achievement Award 2022, Tribute to Genius of Africa, its Vibrant Youth – HM the King

On Mar 14, 2023

CAF — His Majesty King Mohammed VI king of Morocco

Kigali – The Confederation of African Football (CAF) President’s Outstanding Achievement Award 2022, awarded to HM King Mohammed VI, is, “first and foremost, a tribute to the genius of Africa and its vibrant youth,” the Sovereign said on Tuesday.

“It is still my firmly held belief, as I pointed out in my speech at the 29th African Union Summit in 2017, that “the future of Africa hinges on its youth”, and that only “a proactive, youth-oriented policy can channel energy for the achievement of development. Therefore, the Award you are bestowing upon me today is, first and foremost, a tribute to the genius of Africa and its vibrant youth,” HM the King said in a message on the occasion of the award ceremony in Kigali, Rwanda.

The Sovereign also stressed in this message, which was read by Minister of National Education, Preschool and Sports, Chakib Benmoussa, that “this Award represents a recognition of the choices I have made to bring about the right conditions for their development and fulfilment. Football is not just a sport, it is a work in progress and a long-term process.”

In this way, HM the King has said that he has turned soccer into a tool for achievement and long-term human development in the Kingdom.

The Sovereign stated that he shares “an unwavering confidence in our African continent, its youth, and its capacities” with His brother President Paul Kagame, whom the Confederation of African Football is also honoring today. He added that “we are working to make the most of that potential, without ever being satisfied with mere hopes, nor, for that matter, with our achievements.”

HM the King used the occasion to honor FIFA President Gianni Infantino for his steadfast support of African soccer and to express gratitude to CAF President Patrice Motsepe for his leadership and advocacy on behalf of the influence of African soccer and the restoration of the authority of its leaders.

Football, according to HM the King, “implies a vision of the future, a long-term commitment, efficient, transparent governance, as well as investment in infrastructure and human capital. It is also an expression of creative skill and talent.

The Sovereign remembered that Moroccan football “also upheld the ideals of tenacity, self-sacrifice, and self-surpassing at the last World Cup, in Qatar, by making Africa proud. To extend the game of football, develop players’ potential, and support the skills that are identified through specialized training, we are aiming to firmly establish these ideals by tying sport and education together.

Beyond words, the King continued, “the Kingdom of Morocco has repeatedly demonstrated by deeds that its means, its infrastructure, and its experience, especially in soccer, are available to all African countries desiring to make the youth a lever of hope and growth. Because of this, my aspirations for both my home country and the African continent are mutually exclusive.

“The Kingdom of Morocco has repeatedly shown that its resources, infrastructure, and experience, particularly in football, are at the disposal of all African sister nations sharing our wish to make youth a lever of hope and growth,” said HM the King. “It is not so much through words as it is through concrete deeds. The reason for this is that my aspirations for both my nation and the African continent are inextricably linked.