Cape Verde Wins Historic International ‘Team Player 11+’ Award
The Cape Verdean Football Federation (FCF) has made history by becoming the first institution to receive the prestigious international “Team Player 11+” award. The accolade, presented today in the city of Praia, recognizes the federation’s exceptional contributions to the development and promotion of football on a global scale.
Success Beyond Size
During the presentation ceremony, Russian Ambassador to Cape Verde Andrey Martynenko emphasized that the FCF’s success serves as a blueprint for smaller nations. “The awarding of this prize demonstrates that in modern football, success is not determined solely by the size of the market or the population,” Martynenko said. He credited the federation’s rise to superior governance, effective player development, international integration, and strategic resource mobilization.
The ambassador specifically highlighted the leadership of FCF President Mário Semedo and the Cape Verdean national team’s standout performance during the 2026 World Cup as primary reasons for the distinction.
A Model for Sustainable Management
The “Team Player 11+” award was established in 2025 by the Russian Institute for Innovation in Sports and Tourism, in partnership with the Eurasian Media group. A jury of sports management experts, journalists, and industry representatives from Russia, Latin America, China, and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) evaluated the FCF against world-class competition.
Cape Verde beat out several high-profile finalists for the honor, including:
- Benfica (Portugal)
- Flamengo (Brazil)
- The Uzbekistan Football Association
- The Australian Professional Leagues
- Renowned youth academies from Argentina and Kazakhstan
The jury praised the FCF not just for its results on the pitch, but for creating a sustainable and replicable management model that other nations can follow.
Strengthening International Ties
Accepting the award, Mário Semedo expressed his gratitude and his hope that the honor would foster closer sports cooperation between Cape Verde and Russia.
“We receive this award with humility and pride, but above all, with great responsibility,” Semedo stated. He noted that the recognition validates the federation’s long-term vision for the sport.
Moving forward, the “Team Player 11+” award will be presented annually to honor excellence in sports governance, infrastructure, training, and talent management.
Image: Pexels – Cristiano Junior
