This article was Published at: 15-03-2010 and has been viewed 728 times

As football still marks the most active sporting event in lawless Somalia, Somali football federation has implemented the second Win in Africa with Africa course given to Somalia by the world football governing body FIFA which opened in the neighboring Djibouti on Saturday in the presence of a high level FIFA development officer Amir Moheib.

During The high level international refereeing course directed by FIFA instructor Joseph Wellington of Ghana, at least 26 Somali football referees including international, national and regional referees will be taught the latest rules which exceeded to the international laws of the game, according to Somali football federation secretary general Abdi Qani Said Arab.

In his opening remarks the secretary general said that FIFA gave a particular consideration to Somalia than any other nation in the world, because as he putted such course are held for FIFA member federations in their home lands but for Somalia the course is being held in Djibouti and that is because FIFA’s commitment to develop Somali football even if home is not peaceful.

"Despite the difficult situation Somalia is currently experiencing we are not despaired of going ahead and this time we have also women in our international course, that never happened in Somali football history before" the secretary general stated.

The high level training course is the first ever held for such number of Somali football referees outside their home land and is expected to make a huge change when it comes to upgrading the knowledge of Somali football referees who are working in a very troubled country where playing football is banned and seen as a satanic act in many Islamist-controlled regions.

President of the Djibouti football federation Hussein Fadoul Dabar who was invited to address at the opening ceremony said that FIFA helps those who are good and the organizing of such international courses for Somalia abroad show that Somali football federation authorities had done well in the past in accordance with FIFA statues.

"So many people in the world think that Somalia is behind all, but that is a bad thinking, because I am one of those who know more about Somalia, and we can say that Somalia is going with the world according to football promotion" President Hussein Fadoul Dabar of Djibouti said.

Dr. shenoui Ahmed from FIFA refereeing development office for his part praised Somali football federation authorities for doing all they can to keep Somali football alive, while the country is undergoing one of the world’s most ravaging civil wars for the past two decades.

He thanked Somali football federation for trying every possible move to develop football in Somalia and twin federation of Djibouti for assisting and welcoming Somali FA organize and hold its courses here in Djibouti which shares the same color, religion, culture and language with Somalia.

President of Somali football federation Said Mahmoud Nur who addressed at the ceremony started his remarks with gratefulness to the FIFA family under the chairmanship of Joseph S. Blatter whom he said had done everything to help Somali football exist and work in a devastated country where such job is very hard to be done.

"Referring back to the history of world football Africa and Asia had never got the chance to host FIFA world cup, but since Blatter came to power Asia had the chance and we in Africa will have this year, so we can say that Blater is leading world football reach unseen of regions" Somali FA president stated during his address.

"Whatever problem we face we are committed keep working in Somalia until death" the president said adding that particular thanks are due to the chief of FIFA development office in Cairo Dr. Taha Ismail, his staff and the brother nation of Djibouti, its football federation and people who all stood to help Somali FA go ahead.

Finally the advisor to the Djibouti sports minister and national Olympic committee secretary General of Djibouti Dr. Said Ali Hussein who on behalf of his minister opened the course for Somalia said that his country was the second Somalia and that Somali FA is free to hold everything here whether courses or other trainings.

 

By Shafi`I Mohyaddin Abokar