The president has been recognized as the leader of the
year because of his dedication to football and the professional organization of
football development programs that protected thousands of Somali youths from
falling into the hands of notorious criminals in the country.
In his opening address of the Glo awards ceremony, CAF
president and FIFA acting president, Issa Hayatou, commended Somali FA president
for the good organization of football activities back in his war-devastated country
of Somalia.
"A special salute this year goes to the president of the Somali Football Federation, Abdiqani Said Arab, honored in the [leader of the year] category. In a very complex context, he succeeds to continue hoisting football as a vector of peace, a rallying factor, a cause of hope for the Somali youth” CAF president Issa Hayatou said in his opening address.
After receiving the award, SFF president Abdiqani Said
Arab, said that such high profile recognition was marking a great honor and
publicity for him, his federation members and the entire people of Somalia.
"On behalf of Somali Football family, I would like to
thank CAF president Issa Hayatou and his executive committee for honoring
Somalia to have such high level award. Somalia has gained this victory with a
team work, so thanks to my executive committee members, the secretariat and the
stakeholders for their cooperation” president Abdiqani Said Arab noted.
"I take this opportunity to thank CAF Secretary General,
Hicham El Amrani and his team for being fully aware of what is going on around the
continent and particularly in Somalia” president Abdiqani Said Arab explained.
The president said that receiving this award was
encouraging him and members of the SFF to redouble the football-related
development programs in the country.
"Knowing the difficulty situation in the country, we are
committed to increasing our efforts until we realize our dreams of approaching
a higher level than we are today” Somali Football Federation president,
Abdiqani Said Arab said.
Somali
Football Federation Media Department
Email:info@somsoccer.com