Somalia announces nationwide athletics development program
Somali National Olympic committee and the country’s athletics federation held hours-long
meeting in Mogadishu Saturday in which they raised very crucial agendas including
the start of early preparations for the Rio 2016 world Olympic Games and a nationwide
athletics development program.
The meeting which was the first of its kind gathered Somali Olympic committee president
Abdullahi Ahmed Tarabi, Secretary General Duran Ahmed Farah, Somali Athletics Federation
Senior vice president Khadija Aden Dahir, coaches and athletics experts who delivered
constructive ideas about how to implement a complete athletics development program
across the country.
Somali NOC secretary General Duran Ahmed Farah who talked to the media after the
meeting explained the importance of the nationwide development program which he
said will help Somalia have a big influence in the international athletics gatherings
in the years to come.
“The meeting discussed entire sports development in Somalia, but Athletics was the
main agenda of the meeting—we have gathered constructive ideas and suggestions from
the experts in the meeting and I am hopeful that Somalia will enjoy the outcome
of the new initiative in the years to come” Secretary General Duran Ahmed Farah
told the media in Mogadishu Saturday.
He said that Somalia now wants medals in future competitions rather than going for
only participations. “The past two weeks Somalia won two medals in international
taekwondo competitions held in Egypt and Belgium, this shows that we are once again
back and Somalia can win medals after recovering from decades of conflicts” Secretary
General Duran Ahmed Farah told the media.
He said that after long discussions and exchange of ideas the meeting agreed on
the implementation of four main articles which are very important for the promotion
of athletics across the country.
1. To make a nationwide awareness programs using the mass media in a bid to encourage
youths to participate in athletics.
2. To be engaged in a talent identification program in and outside the country to
try to find and collect the most talented athletes who can defend the country’s
publicity.
3. To send full experienced coaches and experts to all regions across the country
and to hold successive competitions to be able to select talented athletes and train
them for future international competitions.
4. To prepare full accommodation and training grounds for the talented and physically
fit athletes.
However the Somali NOC secretary General Duran Ahmed Farah noted he was very sure
that Somalia will be able to score tangible victories in the international athletics
gatherings if the program is fully implemented emphasizing that the sponsorships
by Somali business companies was very important for such endeavour to be more successful.
By: Shafi’i Mohyaddin Abokar