Somali FIFA referee Omar Artan don collect another honour wey add to im international reputation.
Di young referee don turn global sensation after dem no allow am enter United States to officiate for 2026 World Cup.
Di latest recognition come from Kuwait, wey give am award of excellence on 30 June.
Kuwait Football Association talk say dem give am di honour to recognise Artan achievements and im contributions to international football.
Di 34-year-old official describe di award as 'honour wey plenty' and as symbol of 'trust wey no get price'.
How im dey honour Somalia
Artan thank fans all over di world for stand by am since di US entry wahala. Im also pray to God make e get more success as e dey try maintain 'top performance level' and to 'make Somalia proud' for di global stage.
After dem give am di award, di Somali referee officiate di final of Kuwait Zain Premier League for 2025–2026 season, and Kuwait SC clinch di title after dem beat Al Qadsia SC.
Di match get Chairman of di Kuwait Football Association, Sheikh Ahmad Al-Yousef Al-Sabah, as one of di people wey attend.
Dis one come as Omar Artan dey prepare to officiate di 2026 Super Cup final wey plenty people dey expect between PSG and Aston Villa for Austria on 12 August, after UEFA invite am.
Dem deny am entry
Artan global prominence spike after di US, one of di co-hosts of di FIFA World Cup, deny am entry to officiate for di tournament wey dey run from 11 June to 19 July across Canada, Mexico and di US.
Dem turn am back for Miami International Airport even though im get valid visa, diplomatic passport and FIFA credentials. US officials talk say dem block am because of 'worry about vetting'.
When im return home, Mogadishu give am hero welcome and FIFA don promise to pay am im full remuneration even though im no take part for di tournament.
E for don be di first-ever Somali referee wey officiate at a World Cup.
Im born for Mogadishu in 1992. Artan start blow whistle for Somalia leagues and become FIFA-listed referee in 2018. E be di first Somali referee wey oversee a CAF Champions League final, e officiate for AFCON 2025, and CAF name am Africa Men’s Referee of the Year for 2025.
