Glo CAF Awards To Recognize Outstanding Achievers In African Football

The Head of Business at Glo Mobile Ghana, Mr. Patrick Awotwi, has emphasized that his outfit will continue to give utmost recognition to African footballers and it's administrators who excel in their exploits in football.

According to him, since the founding of Globacom in 2003, the company has sought to stimulate the development of African youth through the promotion and sponsorship of football—a policy which sits at the core of Globacom's corporate social investment delivery.

“We shall continue to encourage Africans in sports, business and every sphere of life to aim for nothing else but the zenith in all their endeavours, thereby making it possible for them to 'Rule Their World' and further Stand Proud' among any class of achievers,” said Mr. Awotwi.

He was speaking in Accra on Friday at the official unveiling ceremony of the top five African footballers on the continent nominated for the 2012 edition of the Glo CAF Awards.

He indicated that since its inception in the year 1970, the Glo-CAF Awards has steadily grown into the continent's most prestigious sporting awards ceremony, providing Africa with a respectable forum for according recognition to Africa's most outstanding footballers and administrators of the beautiful game of football.

“Over the years, the unveiling of the top most nominees for the Glo-CAF Awards has always been characterized by great excitement and anxiety because it is at this forum that our distinguished partners, the continental football ruling body, CAF, officially announces the shortlist of top nominees for the awards,” stated Mr. Awotwi.

He said the partnership between Glo and CAF was inspired by Globacom's strong belief in football as a vehicle for communication and social empowerment.

He added that as the Glo-CAF partnership hits the 8th year milestone, Glo took pride in the significant strides its alliance with CAF has achieved in raising the quality and popularity of football in Africa.

“We are delighted with the role CAF is playing to re-engineer accelerated and holistic development of football in the continent and we cherish the robust endorsement CAF has, at different fora, given to our commitment to deepen and promote the quality of the game of football in Africa,” noted Mr. Awotwi.

He pointed that the year 2012 recorded another eventful and encouraging year for African football.

“In January, CAF successfully staged the Cup of Nations, jointly hosted by Gabon and Equatorial Guinea. Africa also participated in the women's U-17 World Cup tournament in Azerbaijan at which Ghana narrowly missed the finals, but managed to wrestle home the Bronze Medal.

…Furthermore, Africa's local leagues are beginning to recapture a lot of their old glitter while our professionals plying their trade overseas continue to dazzle European football fans and play key roles in their respective teams. Then, of course, we are all aware of the fervent preparations Africa is making for next year's Cup of Nations in South Africa and the CHAN tournament which caters for our locally based players,” said Mr. Awotwi

This year's edition of the Glo CAF Awards has Ghana Black Stars midfielder, Andre Dede Ayew, making it through the five-man shortlist for the 2012 Glo-CAF Footballer of the Year Award.

The 22-year-old faces competition from Cameroonian and Barcelona midfielder, Alexandre Song, Senegalese international Demba Ba and the Ivorian duo of Didier Drogba and Yaya Toure in a brief ceremony in Accra.

The Olympique Marseille player makes his second straight nomination for the prestigious award after consistent displays for both club and country.

Ayew was third in last year's award behind Mali's Seydou Keita and the winner Yaya Toure.

The final event will be held on December 20 at the State banquet Hall in Accra.

Meanwhile Communications Director of the FA, Ibrahim Saanie Daara, says fans should accept the decision of CAF by which the number of nominees was selected.

He added that the chance of Andre Dede Ayew is bright even though he would face stiff opposition from the other 4 players.