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 16thof 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.
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Somali Football Federation Media
Department
Email:somalifootballmedia@gmail.com