After weeks of discussion and consideration the Somali Olympic Committee has appointed current national basketball coach Omar Barajab as Somalia’s Chef de Mission for the upcoming London 2012 Olympic Games.

The former national basketball player will be the first sportsperson to lead Somali contingent at Olympic Games for over 30 years as the post has always been filled by politicians or administrators.

“Since the death of Somali Olympic Committee’s president in April this year, we have been discussing the issue of the person who will lead the delegation and fill the position, we also wanted to set an example and change the previous culture of selecting politicians or administrators. Taking into account of the excellent job that Barajab has done at the all Arab games in Qatar last year as Chef De Mission and his wealth of team-management experiences as a national player and coach the board has decided to appoint him as the head of the delegation for London 2012” said thepresident of Somali Olympic Committee Duran Farah.

“I am really honoured to be selected as Somalia’s Chef De Mission for London 2012, it is an incredible opportunity to lead a very committed group of hard working people and athletes who will be in London to represent our country which has been in civil war for over 22 years. Together with the rest of the delegation, our mission is to symbolize our country the best possible way and to encourage our athletes for not only to have a great time but also to have a rewarding and unforgettable experience. I would like to thank SNOC for the opportunity and looking forward to this exceptional experience” Said Omar Barajab.

Barajab has played for the Somali national basketball team for over 10 years and has been one of the most prominent basketball players of the country before he has moved to Dubai, UAE where he coaches a basketball team. He has recently been appointed as the head coach of Somali National Basketball team and has ledSomali contingent at all Arab Games held in Qatar, December last year.

Athlethes selected.

The Somali Olympic Committee has also selected two middle distance runners to take part in London Olympic Games 2012 to mainly participate and gain experience.

Samsam Mohamed Farah (Left) will run in the women’s 400m and 800m races while Mohamed Hassan Mohamed will be taking part in the 1500m and 5000m races.

“This will be a small team as expected and has been the case for the last three Olympic Games for our country with only two universality places to compete for the nation, we are not expecting to win medals but to gain experience and to show the world that with the difficulties and problems that our country has gone through for the past two decades we are committed to participate the biggest games of the world” Said the president while given interview to Somali National TV Station here in London on Friday.

The president also mentioned that the organization has invited former Somali national sporting heroes and players such as 1500m World Champion Abdi Bile to London during the games as guests of honor to show their appreciation of the service they have given to the country and to become role models as well as encouraging Somali youth around the world who have the ambition to compete for their country in the future.

Over 10,000 athletes are expected to take part in 302 events of 26 sports in the London Olympic Games in which over 300 medals will be awarded to the winners

You can follow all of Somali athlethe'spreprations and trainings during the games on our facebook and twitter pages: