The Somali Football Federation has inaugurated the expanded
football league with Elman FC defeating their Horseed FC rivals by 3-2 in the
opening match on Friday, December 19.
The expansion of the country’s most populous sporting
event is a sign for the implementation of the pledges made by the Somali
Football Federation President Abdiqani Said Arab in the aftermath of his
election as president just three months ago.
Ahmed Abdi Dini, managing director of Nation Link Telecom whose company is in partnership with Somali Football Federation said it was a great publicity for his company to have a greater involvement in football.
"The cooperation between Somali Football federation and
Nation Link Telecom dates back to 2007 and since then Nation Link Telecom has
been joining hands with the SFF in the promotion of football in our country”
Mr. Dini explained.
Somali Football Federation president Abdiqani Said Arab
thanked Nation Link Telecom, for unwaveringly showing willingness to continue
their involvement in Somali football.
He said the increase of the league participation was in
one respect part of the football development and in the other was intended to
create more interesting and more competitive league with respect to the will of
Somali community who are mostly football-loving people.
"A total of 19 foreign players, representing 6 clubs are
playing in the league this year, which would mean that football in Somalia was
becoming more popular and even attracting the attention of international professionals”
president Abdiqani Said Arab said during his opening address.
He urged other business companies in Somalia to follow
Nation Link’s footsteps by joining hands with the Federation in the promotion
of football for peace in the country.
"On the behalf of SFF, I would like to invite all
Somali-owned companies to come and display their businesses here without any
preconditions, because we want them to feel how football is stronger to promote
their businesses” the president added before announcing the competition was open.
Somali Football Federation Media Department
Email:somalifootballmedia@gmail.com