[EXCLUDED] INTERVIEW WITH YVES SAWADOGO: PROMOTER OF THE AFRICAN FOOTBALL NIGHT

The second edition of the Night of African Football was officially launched last Tuesday in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. Yves Sawadogo, the promoter of the event, shared insights about what to expect this year and the improvements made since the first edition.

This year’s event will feature some significant innovations and the addition of honorary members such as Georges Weah, Pape Diouf, Roger Milla, Abedi Ayew Pele, and Cyrille Domoraud, among others. The event aims to pay tribute to Brazilian football, especially in light of the upcoming World Cup in Brazil, and to wish good luck to the five African teams qualified for the tournament.

One notable change for this year’s event is the introduction of a competition to designate the best African player playing in Europe across seven major championships. The public will have the opportunity to participate in choosing the winner through an SMS game.

Despite the busy schedule of teams preparing for the World Cup, the event organizers have carefully selected a date (May 22) that aligns with the calendars of their guests.

Among the distinguished guests expected at the event are honorary members, the Ivory Coast national team, Kalusha Bwalya, Ruud Gullit, Lucas Radebe, Joseph Antoine Bell, and Lilian Thuram, among others.

Reflecting on the first edition, Sawadogo expressed overall satisfaction with the event’s success but acknowledged areas for improvement, particularly in fundraising for social initiatives. However, he assured that efforts are underway to address these challenges and enhance the event further.

Regarding the emergence of another event in Dakar under a similar name, Sawadogo dismissed it as an attempt to counterfeit the established event and emphasized that the original African Football Night takes place in Abidjan with the support of local authorities.

Sawadogo, originally from Burkina Faso, highlighted his background as a sports consultant and organizer of various sporting events across Africa. He expressed gratitude for the partnership with Africa Top Sports and encouraged readers to stay connected for updates and exclusive content related to the Night of African Football.