King congratulates Issa Hayatou for re-election as CAF chief

King Mohammed VI has sent a message to Issa Hayatou congratulating him for his reelection as chairman of the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

The king expressed warmest congratulations and most sincere wishes to Hayatou for "success in the noble mission he is conducting at the service of African sports" and said this reelection evidences "the recognition by CAF member states of the sustained efforts he had been making to promote the most popular sport in Africa."

The King recalled his recent meeting with Hayatou during which, he said, he personally appreciated Hayatou's "qualities as African leader, his clear-sightedness, open-mindedness and dedication to the cause of African football."

The royal message also hailed the relations of friendship and consideration that have always marked "the exemplary" binds between CAF and the kingdom.

The sovereign renewed backing to Hayatou for the fulfillment of the noble goals sought by CAF, especially the holding of the 2006 world football cup in our continent.

Cameroonian Hayatou, 53, has been reelected by the CAF congress for a fourth four-year term by 47 votes. His challenger, Angolan Armando Machado only gleaned 4 votes.

Moroccan Said Belkhayat and Tunisian Salim Aloulou were elected members of the CAF executive committee for the North African zone.