CAF’s Hany Abo Rida Hails King Mohammed VI’s Exemplary, Inclusive Pan-Africanism

Hany Abo Rida, an Egyptian member of the the FIFA Council and CAF Executive Committee, has said that granting the CAF Excellence Award to King Mohammed VI was the least the governing body of African football could do to express its gratitude to the Moroccan monarch for the outstanding growth of Moroccan football in recent years and Morocco’s remarkable contributions to advancing the sport in Africa.

Rabat – Hany Abo Rida, an Egyptian member of the the FIFA Council and CAF Executive Committee, has said that granting the CAF Excellence Award to King Mohammed VI was the least the governing body of African football could do to express its gratitude to the Moroccan monarch for the outstanding growth of Moroccan football in recent years and Morocco’s remarkable contributions to advancing the sport in Africa.

The CAF and FIFA official made the remarks in a recent interview with Morocco’s National Company of Radio and Television (SNRT), saying: “I believe that Morocco has contributed significantly to the development of Arab and African football over the past few years, and the Excellence Award, which is a form of recognition from CAF to King Mohammed VI, is the least the African continent can do to express its gratitude.”

Of the speech King Mohammed VI delivered upon receiving the award, Abo Rida said,“King Mohammed VI’s speech is more than exceptional and has managed to touch the hearts of all people. It was a clear speech that was inclusive of all Africans.”

Abo Rida also welcomed Morocco’s bid to jointly host the FIFA 2030 World Cup with Spain and Portugal. He described the joint Euro-African candidacy as a pleasant surprise, and wished the three countries the best of luck.

On March 14, the African Football Federation (CAF) presented King Mohammed VI with its President’s Outstanding Achievement Award at a ceremony that took place in Kigali, Rwanda.

The award was given in recognition of the remarkable developments in Moroccan football over the past year, as well as the contributions Morocco has made to the development of African football.

During the ceremony, Morocco’s Sports Minister Chakib Benmoussa read on behalf of the king a written message that notably announced the North African country’s decision to present a joint bid to host the 2030 World Cup alongside Portugal and Spain.

“This joint bid, which is unprecedented in football history, will bring together Africa and Europe, the northern and southern Mediterranean, and the African, Arab and Euro-Mediterranean worlds,” said the royal message. “It will also bring out the best in all of us – in effect, a combination of genius, creativity, experience, and means.”