FIFA honours Solaja for 10thworld Cup appearances

THE former Sports Editor, Kunle Solaja, was among 81 other journalists of repute, honoured by the world football governing body, FIFA in Doha, Qatar yesterday.

The honour bestowed on him was for attending and reporting nearly a score of the quadrennial global football fiesta and other glamour tournaments.

Solaja, who was also former Sports Editor of Concord Newspapers, and currently the chief executive of online sports publication, www. sportsvillagesquare. co m, was among the only two Africans ( South Africa’s Mark Gleeson) on the list awarded a certificate of achievement and a replica of the World Cup trophy, presented by Brazilian legend, Ronaldo. In a congratulatory message to the foremost journalist the Nigeria Football Federation General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, said: “Today, we are proud to congratulate and celebrate one of our own, Mr. Kunle Solaja, for the honour bestowed on him by FIFA.

“To attend 10 FIFA World Cup finals is not a joke. Mr. Solaja is a man competent, diligent and passionate about his trade, and we join FIFA to celebrate him as an illustrious servant of the beautiful game”.

The certificate of achievement was jointly signed by FIFA President, Gianni Infantino and President of Association Internationale de La Presse Sportive, Gianni Merlo.