Mogadishu – Somdaily.com — President of the Federal Republic of Somalia, H.E. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, has officially received internationally recognized Somali football referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan at the Presidential Palace, following his historic achievement as Africa’s Best Referee of the Year 2025, an honor awarded by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
President Hassan Sheikh praised Referee Artan for the remarkable global recognition he has brought to the Somali nation, noting that the award reflects not only Artan’s dedication and professionalism, but also the resilience and talent of the Somali people.
The President congratulated refree Artan for the prestigious accolade, stating that his success “demonstrates the strength, discipline, and excellence he has invested in advancing his refereeing career.” President Hassan Sheikh further expressed confidence that Artan’s achievement will open doors for even greater international representation for Somalia in global sporting arenas.
For his part, Referee Omar Artan thanked the President for the warm reception and acknowledged the national honor accorded to him. He stated that the recognition from CAF and the acknowledgment from the Somali presidency will motivate him to continue striving for excellence as he represents Somalia on international platforms.
Artan’s award marks a significant milestone for Somali sports, highlighting a growing presence of Somali professionals in international football and contributing to Somalia’s positive image worldwide.
