Fatma Samba Diouf Samoura, the former Secretary General of FIFA and pioneering female football administrator, has heaped praise on Ghana’s President Nana Akufo-Addo and other African heads of state for their “unwavering support and commitment towards sports development” following the successful hosting of the 2023 African Games in Accra.
It comes after receiving a special distinction from the African Union for her services to sports during her tenure at FIFA, which was bestowed upon her at the electrifying closing ceremony at the packed 11,000-capacity University of Ghana stadium on Saturday night.
“Thank you to His Excellency President Akufo-Addo and his colleague African presidents for their unwavering support and commitment towards sports development, in particular,” Samoura stated.
“Football can indeed bring about positive societal changes,” Samoura affirmed, having witnessed Ghana’s successful staging of the continental games featuring thousands of elite athletes from across Africa.
The Senegalese trailblazer, who made history in 2016 as the first woman appointed FIFA Secretary General by Gianni Infantino, highlighted the power of football to drive positive change across societies in Africa.
Prior to her pioneering role at FIFA, Samoura had a distinguished two-decade career with the United Nations World Food Programme, serving as Country Director in nations like Djibouti and Cameroon.
The astute female football administrator currently serves as an independent member of the FIA Senate and Chairwoman of the ACE Sports Board.
She received the special distinction from the African Union Chairperson Moussa Faki, presented by Ambassador Minata Samate at the vibrant ceremony, which also saw the Games baton handed over the next host Egypt.
Her attendance and remarks endorsing African leaders’ backing of the African Games underscores their significance in promoting sports development and unity through major events on the continent.
After a spectacular 16-day showcase of African sporting excellence, the 13th African Games came to an end with the next host nation Egypt topping the medal table with 101 gold, 46 silver and 42 bronze medals.
