President Kagame receives the CAF President’s Outstanding Achievement Award 2022 from the President of the Confederation of African Football, Patrice Motsepe, and FIFA President Gianni Infantino in Kigali, on Tuesday, March 14. Photos by Olivier Mugwiza
President Paul Kagame on Tuesday, March 14, received the CAF President’s Outstanding Achievement Award 2022 in an awarding ceremony held in Kigali on the margins of the 73rd FIFA Congress that takes place this week.
The award was an occasion to celebrate African leaders who made meaningful contributions to the development of football in Africa.
CAF President Patrice Motsepe, alongside FIFA President Gianni Infantino, conferred the award to Kagame and Moroccan Minister of Education and Sports Chakib Benmoussa who received the award on behalf of King Mohamed VI of Morocco after the duo was chosen for the award for the year 2022.
Speaking at the awarding gala night that was attended by top football executives from FIFA, CAF and other confederations and member associations as well as football legends among many other attendees, Kagame said "I want to express our deepest thanks for the honor of receiving the CAF President&039;s Outstanding Achievement Award. We appreciate the recognition; we appreciate the honor."
Below is a pictorial that shows highlights of the colorful event that took place at Kigali Serena Hotel.
The ceremony drew delegates from FIFA member associations and football executives from across the world.
ALL SMILES: FIFA Secretary General Fatma Samoura (left) chats with other delegates.
First Lady Jeannette Kagame graced the event.
Beaming faces were commonplace at the glamorous ceremony.
One of the delegates who attended the awards event at Kigali Serena Hotel.
Delegates interact at the event
Rwanda's Minister of Sports Aurore Mimosa Munyagaju and the Angolan envoy to Rwanda Amb. Edouardo F.B Octavio at the awards ceremony.
Some of the delegates at the ceremony.
Amb. Guy Nestor Itoua of the Republic of Congo, who's also the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps accredited to Rwanda, interacts with Amb. Thomas Kurz, the German envoy to Rwanda, during the wards ceremony on Tuesday, March 14.
Delegates at the ceremony.
Delegates share a moment at the venue.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino delivers his remarks during the ceremony.
It was a full house as CAF announced President Kagame and King Mohammed VI of Morocco as the recipients of the CAF President's Outstanding Achievement Award 2022.
CAF President Patrice Motsepe addresses delegates at the awards gala night in Kigali on March 14.
Kagame was praised for supporting African football, along with the Moroccan King Mohammed VI.
The event is one of the football activities that have preceded the upcoming FIFA Congress slated for Thursday, March 16.
The colourful awards gala night attracted top Rwandan leaders, FIFA and CAF executives, football legends, among others.
The Moroccan Minister of Education and Sports Chakib Benmoussa, who collected the award on behalf of King Mohammed VI, shows off the award, as Infatino and Motsepe applaud.
Rwandan media personality Fiona Mutoni was the MC.
Kagame receives the CAF President’s Outstanding Achievement Award 2022 from Mostsepe and Infantino.
President Kagame delivers his acceptance speech during the awards gala night. Kagame said "I want to express our deepest thanks for the honour of receiving the CAF President's Outstanding Achievement Award. We appreciate the recognition; we appreciate the honour."
The awards event took place at Kigali Serena Hotel two days ahead of the 73rd FIFA Congress due in Kigali.
The event took place at a time Kigali is gearing up for the 73rd FIFA Congress due Thursday, March 16.
President Kagame delivers his acceptance speech during which he recognised the positive role football has played in Rwanda's recent history.
Guests at the CAF awards ceremony.
President Kagame in a group photo with CAF President Patrice Motsepe (2nd left), FIFA President Gianni Infantino (right) and the Moroccan Minister of Education and Sports Chakib Benmoussa (left), who received an award on behalf of King Mohammed VI of Morocco for the latter's role in supporting African football.