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Rabat – Morocco’s football star Achraf Hakimi has been awarded “Best Arab Sportsman” at the Joy Awards ceremony in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Saturday.
“He fully deserves it,” President of Saudi Entertainment Authority Turki al-Sheikh said while handing the trophy to Hakimi.
Hakimi took to the stage accompanied by his mother, who wore a green Moroccan Djellaba, honoring the country’s culture and heritage.
The Moroccan international football star gave his mother the trophy, and expressed pride and happiness to his fans and for his mother’s support.
“Salam Alikum, I want to say I am really happy to be here. This is a special country. I am really happy to be with my mom. It’s a support for me. I also want to say thank my team Paris Saint Germain also my country, Morocco. Thank you for the support… I feel so proud to be here,” Hakimi said.
The brief speech was welcomed by applause and supporting whistles from celebrities and public figures, who attended the Joy Awards ceremony.
The stars who attended the event included Saudi singer Mohamed Abdoy, American movie director Michael Bay, Egyptian actor Mohamed Hendi, Egyptian actor Ahmed Helmi, and Colombian American actress Sofia Vergara.
Hakimi made spectacular performances during Morocco’s historic run at the World Cup.
The Atlas Lions made Morocco’s exceptional achievement in the World Cup, where the country positioned itself as the first Arab and African country to qualify for the semi-finals in the competition’s history.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino lauded Morocco’s national football team’s World Cup run, saying that the North African country played “great, great football, and we must praise Morocco’s performance.”
“Hakimi, Wiyech, all of them, the coach, a young coach,” Infantino added.
