The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) affirmed that the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Creative Sports Awards for the International Sports Personality, awarded to FIFA President Gianni Infantino, is the highest honour bestowed upon leading figures who elevate the status of sports and promote fair competition.

FIFA published a report on Infantino's win of this award, noting that it draws inspiration from His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, who has a passion for sports.

FIFA pointed out that the award, which began in 2009 with the aim of honouring individual achievements in various sports fields, evolved in 2012 to allow the nomination of international figures for the prize.

“I am honoured to be awarded The International Sports Personality of the Year at the 12th edition of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Creative Sports Award in Dubai,” said Infantino.

“Receiving this award, which celebrates creativity, innovation and fairness in the sporting world, fills me with such pride because, at FIFA, we represent unity, fair competition, equality, and sustained global development.

“I would like to congratulate all the award winners and express my heartfelt gratitude to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed, Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the award, and the award committees for this award, the highest international award given by the city of Dubai.”

He added, “Being awarded The International Sports Personality of the Year at the 12th edition of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Creative Sports Award in Dubai is representative of the success FIFA has enjoyed in uniting the world through football,” the FIFA President added.

“My thanks go to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed, to everyone who has worked in football, and also to the beautiful, sport-loving city of Dubai, where we will be back from 15th February for the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup, which promises to be another great occasion that will unite the world.”

FIFA stated that the UAE has a proud history of staging FIFA tournaments having hosted eight tournaments in the past 21 years, including four FIFA Club World Cups, the FIFA U-20 World Cup 2003, the FIFA U-17 World Cup 2013, and the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2009. It will host its ninth FIFA tournament when the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2024 kicks off next month.

FIFA further stated that the awards committee also acknowledged the FIFA President’s role in launching qualitative initiatives to reinforce football’s presence around the world, such as increasing the number of teams in the FIFA World Cup to 48, which is a key pillar of FIFA’s strategic objectives for the next four years.