Published: July 31, 2010
Somalia to Participate in Singapore Youth Olympic Games
By Shafi'i Mohyaddin Abokar
The Somali National Olympic Committee on Saturday disclosed that the war-ravaged country will participate in the upcoming world youth Olympic Games in Singapore, the first ever such competition for youths organized by the IOC.
Chairman of the Athletic Commission of the Somali Olympic committee Mr. Hassan Ahmed Barre who talked to reporters in Mogadishu Saturday said that two athletes and three officials under his leadership will represent Somaliain the upcoming Singapore Youth Olympic games slated for 10-28-August 2010.
"Although Somalia is currently experiencing a very critical moment, then we have decided not to miss the youth Olympic games, the first of its kind ever organized by the International Olympic committee which Somalia is a full member" the Somali Athletic Commission Chairman Hassan Ahmed Barre said in his press conference in Mogadishu Saturday.
Somalia is among the 205 IOC member-nations who will be represented in the 2010 Singapore Youth Olympic Games and the country's Olympic committee was very jubilant at being such level in international Olympics.
"While Somalia is diving into one of the most dangerous situations in the world-we are very proud of what we have been doing in the past because we are going to the Youth Olympic Games to share with the rest of the world" the Somali NOC youth commission chairman added.
Representing Somalia, Mr. Hassan Ahmed Barre participated in a seminar held in Singapore in March this year, during which the delegates from around the world were taught lessons about how to prepare young people for the youth games.
According to the laws of the youth Olympic Games, people under 18 years of age are allowed to take part in such competition.
Somalia hasn't had a functioning central government for the past two decades during which the Somali National Olympic Committee and its member federations of which Football is the major had represented the chaotic country in international sports gatherings.
Shafi'i Mohyaddin Abokar is the NewsBlaze Somalia reporter. Contact him through NewsBlaze.
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