Issa Hayatou conferred honorary citizenship of Rufisque

CAF President Issa Hayatou was on Monday, 23 March 2015, conferred with the title of honorary citizen of the town of Rufisque North, located 45-kilometres of the Senegalese capital, Dakar.

It was during a well-attended ceremony at the Rufisque North City Hotel graced by the presence of Senegalese Minister of Sports, Matar Ba. The CAF President was accompanied by his spouse, Marie-Claire Hayatou, CAF Executive Committee members, Amadou Diakite and Anjorin Moucharafou, members of Organising Committee of the Orange Africa U-20 Championship as well as Executives of the Senegal Football Federation.

The keys to the city were given to CAF President Hayatou by the Mayor of Rufisque North, Mane Oumar Mane.

"I accept this honour and will solemnly undertake my commitments in that capacity. Now you can consider me a citizen of Rufisque," said the CAF President, who also commended the city authorities for their "warm, friendly and enthusiastic welcome".

Above all, Hayatou paid glowing tribute to the former member of the CAF Executive Committee, Mawade Wade, a Senegalese, describing him as a "big brother and a very trusted advisor", and appealed to the audience to observe a minute of silence in memory of this "great African".

A status that CAF President Hayatou also shares as was highlighted by Badara Mawaye Sene, a friend of 30-years and a former Mayor of Rufisque, and also kingpin of the ceremony.

Also, Vice president of the CAF Referees Committee, Badara stressed on the successes and development African football has witnessed under the leadership of Hayatou, which is a major contributing factor to him being awarded the highest honour by the local authority: Honorary Citizen.