African Advisory Council Holds Awards Ceremony For Guinean Soccer Team

In the early summer the African Advisory Council (AAC) held its annual soccer tournament leading up to Bronx Week, you can read about it here.

Last night, elected officials, AAC members, and supporters came to celebrate the top three teams: Ghana, Zimbabwe, Burkina Faso, and the winners of the tournament, Guinea.

The host for the evening was AAC member, Mohammed Mardah, throughout the night. Before the medals and certificates were given to the winning teams Bronx borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., spoke to the audience giving praise to the great work of the AAC and the impact the organization and soccer tournament has had over the years.

“I’m proud to say that due to the leadership that we’ve been able to appoint to the advisory chair the Bronx is booming,” said Diaz. He expressed the way soccer has begun to change the Bronx,”AAC has taken soccer to a whole other level,” mentioning that hundreds of millions of dollars to restore parks are for soccer. Ending with words of encouragement.

“Keep up the good work, you’re making me look good,” he said.

The AAC President, Charles Cooper Jr., likewise gave Diaz accolades for his vision of establishing AAC in his office. “We are here due to the vision of the borough president [Ruben Diaz Jr.],” said Cooper.

Throughout the rest of the night AAC members and founders were acknowledged for the growth and the responsiveness they’ve had when it comes to issues in the African community. “I believe in giving someone their flowers while they’re alive,” said Cooper. “I always try to acknowledge these folks, the founding members of AAC.”

During the awarding of the ceremony, the winning team, Guinea, and all the Guineans rushed to the front in excitement to receive their gold medals and celebrate their win once again.

The champions can enjoy a few more months of celebration before the 2015 tournament revs up again.