The International Olympic committee (IOC), the world’s highest sports governing body has vowed to continue assisting and supporting the Somali National Olympic committee and its member federations despite April 4 suicide blast in Mogadishu which engulfed the lives of two leading Somali sporting figures and former international soccer referee.

The president of International Olympic Committee Dr Jacque Rogue has met with the state minister for Sports and Youth of Somalia and the vice president of the country's National Olympic Committee at the 18th ANOC general meeting in Moscow on Saturday.

The meeting which has been dominated as expected by the bomb blast that killed the president of Somali Olympic Committee Aden Yabarow, formerly known as (Wiish) along with the president of the country’s football federation Said Nur and former international referee Mowlid Ma’ane was also attended by the director of Olympic Solidarity Pere Miro.

At the beginning of the meeting IOC president said “Mr minister, Mr vice president, first of all please accept my condolences on behalf of IOC family regarding the death of our colleagues and friends who has been killed by that horrifying blast in Mogadishu”.

“In spite what occurred in your country and the loss of your leaders the IOC stands by the Somali Olympic Committee and its commitment to continue developing the sports of the country” added by the president.

During the meeting several issues has been raised including the level of co-operation between Somali Sports Ministry and the National Olympic Committee and what they can achieve if they choose to help each other and work together.

The president also said that “The ministry and the national Olympic committee needs to show unity, solidarity and cooperation and must work together for the best of the country’s sporting development desires “.

Olympic Solidarity director Pere Miro who has worked closely with Somali Olympic Committee during the leadership of the late president Aden Yabarow has expressed his sadness of that tragic death in Mogadishu, but on the other hand congratulated the efforts and the hard work shown by the Somali Olympic Committee and noted that IOC would further strengthen co-operation with the national Olympic Committee and will continue assisting them in the future.

Somalia’s State minister for Sports and youth Abdullahi Sh Ali thanked IOC president for their support and assistance with the national Olympic committee and on behalf of Somali sports ministry he confidently confirmed to the IOC that his ministry is fully behind the national Olympic Committee and its development projects especially during this difficult times.

“ I have been part of Somali sports community for a very long time and was aware that Somali Olympic Committee has been operating from a rented premises which disturbs me and I would like to verify to you that on behalf of Somali government and sports Ministry we as a ministry will provide a land for Somali Olympic Committee to build a new office block which will give them a permanent residence”. Said Abdulahi Sh Ali, known as Qalocow, the state minister for sports and youth.

The vice president of Somali Olympic Committee Duran Farah who has been at the heart of the organisation’s activities and co-operation with international Olympic Committee has on his side thanked the president and the director of Olympic Solidarity for their support and backing particularly during these hard times in which Somali Olympic Committee is mourning the death of its leader as well as the leader of its member, the country’s football governing body.

“Although we have lost a great leader and a father, Somali Olympic Committee will continue to educate youth through sports activities and contribute to building a better and peaceful nation in order to achieve the fundamental goal of the Olympic charter” said the emotional vice president of Somali Olympic Committee Duran Farah.

Dr Jacque Rogue who concluded the meeting has on behalf of IOC promised to build a sports complex that provides offices, meeting rooms, library and other facilities for Somali Olympic Committee at the land that the government will make available.

The Somali delegation has been in Moscow since Thursday to attend the XVIII ANOC General Assembly and the 2nd World Olympic Convention scheduled to last on Tuesday 17th of April.

SOMALI NOC MEDIA DEPARTMENT