The event was hosted at the FIFA-refurbished soccer
facility, the stadium Banadir and was jointly organized by Somali Football
Federation and Somali National Olympic Committee (Somali NOC).
The president of Somali NOC, Abdullahi Ahmed Tarabi, Somali
FA senior vice president, Ali Abdi Mohamed, the deputy minister for youth and
Sport, Osman Aden Dhuubow, government lawmakers and former Ocean Stars members
joined the country’s 25 football clubs and fans who gathered at the facility to
observe a full day of events in the commemoration of the global day.
Somali FA senior vice president, Ali Abdi Mohamed, who first addressed at the festival, said it was an honor for the Somali Football federation and its clubs to welcome Somali NOC and key government officials to Stadium Banadir to jointly observe the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace.
"Today we are marking the International Day of Sport for
Development and Peace with a festival here at Stadium Banadir and I want to
take this opportunity to send a big thank you to FIFA for renovating this
facility for Somalia” SFF senior vice president Ali Abdi Mohamed told a
gathering.
"It is a great privilege for the SFF that some former
child soldiers and street boys who were rehabilitated under FIFA-assisted football for peace initiatives in
Somalia are now taking part in the celebrations for the International Day of
Sport for Development and Peace” the senior vice president said.
Former National team member Ahmed Abbaas Busuri, who
spoke at the event on the behalf of old and current players, said it was a
moment of pleasure for him to witness Somalia joining the world in marking such
a great day for the whole world of sport.
"I want to confirm that Somali NOC and Somali FA are
praiseworthy for the continuation of sports development programs in the
country—me appearing on the stage today shows that old footballers were not
forgotten” said the former Ocean stars member who received an award of
recognition from the SFF in 2014 for his past contribution to the country. The
former footballer is now on a wheelchair.
The president of Somali National Olympic Committee,
Abdullahi Ahmed Tarabi, who was the leader of the global day celebrations, said
that peaceful atmosphere was vital for developing sport both in Somalia and in the
outside world as well and for that reason, Somali NOC and its member
associations were using sport as a tool of peace and development.
"Today we see that so many players are here with us and
that is because the players are the backbone of our sport, as without players
we cannot develop sport in Somalia and that is why Somali NOC and top
government officials are here today to mark both the global day and as well as
Somali Athletes’ day which is today” president Abdullahi Ahmed Tarabi, said
before welcoming the deputy minister for youth and sport, Osman Aden Dhuubow to
the platform.
The deputy minister said his government was fully aware
of the huge sports development programs that Somali NOC and its member
associations were doing in the country, even through the lawless years during
which a number of sporting officials and players lost their lives.
The deputy minister was honored to conclude a marathon events which started earlier in the day and came to an end in the evening of April 6, 2015. In 2013, the United Nations General Assembly, recognized the 6th of April as the International day of sport for development and peace and this year the world is marking the 2nd anniversary of the day.
Somali Football Federation Media Department
Email:somalifootballmedia@gmail.com