Wearing the National team tracksuit, Somalia Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheik Ahmed said that the giant progress of the game in the country was a clear indication for the recovery of Somalia after more than two decades of bloodshed and lawlessness.
The Prime minister made the announcement during a colourful ceremony at Stadium Banadir where he and key other government officials including ministers, lawmakers and top army officials enjoyed the final match of the General Da’ud cup on Friday 16th of May.
The Prime minister and his delegation came to the stadium on the invitation from Somali Football Federation.
Jeenyo United FC won the trophy after humiliating their Heegan FC by 4-2 in the hotly contested match which attracted tens of thousands of spectators.
Somali Football Federation Secretary General Abdi Qani Said Arab who first addressed at the conclusion ceremony said that the arrival of the Prime minister and his delegation at Stadium Banadir was an immense publicity for his federation and the entire football-loving people of Somalia.
“Mr Prime Minister, your stay here today while wearing the national team tracksuit shows us that Somali government loves football and was committed to supporting the beautiful game” the SFF secretary General told the prime minister.
“Dear Mr Prime minister, here in front of you I would like to praise the Somali National Army chief of staff brigadier General Dahir Aden Elmi for his generous contribution to sponsor the competition which we annually hold in the remembrance of the founder of Somali Army General Da’ud Abdulle Hersi” Somali Football Federation Secretary General Abdi Qani Said Arab expressed.
He praised the role of local and international media for their professional coverage of all football activities in the country.
For his part Somali Football Federation President Ali Said Guled Roble said that the organization of the General Da’ud cup has a great importance for his federation and the entire people of Somalia, as the annual event is done as a memorial service for the founder of Somalia’s military.
“On behalf of Somali Football Family I would like to say that the Army chief of staff brigadier General Dahir Aden Elmi is fully praiseworthy for becoming the first leader to sponsor the General Da’ud cup since the country fell into anarchy just more than two decades ago” president Ali Said Guled Roble told the ceremony before handing over the microphone to the Prime Minister Mr. Abdiweli Sheik Ahmed.
The Prime minister noted that such ceremony was a ‘remarkable brain recovery’ adding that the attendance of such big audience at the stadium was a clear example that the life in Somalia was emerging from years of darkness to the light of peace and development.
“I used to watch the General Da’ud cup decades ago---now life is returning to normal and the promotion of football culture in the country marks the recovery of Somalia” the Prime minister accentuated adding that it was a great day for him to enjoy at Stadium Banadir with tens of thousands of football spectators.
By Shafi'i Mohyaddin Abokar
CECAFA Media Committee
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Somali PM: promotion of football culture marks the recovery of Somalia
Wearing the National team tracksuit, Somalia Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheik Ahmed said that the giant progress of the game in the country was a clear indication for the recovery of Somalia after more than two decades of bloodshed and lawlessness.