British Ambassador to Somalia Conveys 'Support' to Somali Olympic team

By Shafi'i Mohyaddin Abokar

The British Ambassador to Somalia Matt Baugh on Wednesday joined the Prime minister of the transitional federal government (TFG) of Somalia Dr. Abdi Weli Mohamed Ali at Villa Somalia to wish the Somali Olympic team well on their journey to the to the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Earlier in the day, the British Ambassador met with the Somali Olympic delegation at Mogadishu airport where he and other officials from the British commission took the team through immigration process required to ensure trouble-free entry to the UK."

British Ambassador Matt Baugh coach Ahmed Ali Abikar, athlete Mohamed Hassan Mohamed, Somali PM Abdi Weli Mohamed Ali, Female athlete Samsam Mohamed Farah and minister for Sport Mahmoud Jirde Hussein during a press conference at Villa Somalia.

"It is a great pleasure for me and the whole Somalia that athletes from our country take part in such big global sporting event despite Somalia is suffering from decades of civil wars and terrorism," the Somali Prime minister said adding that he hopes for success for the Somali athletes.

According to Prime minister Dr. Abdi Weli Mohamed Ali at Wednesday's press conference at Villa Somalia, the athletes has been training in a very difficult situation in the war-devastated country.

Ali Abikar, athlete Mohamed Hassan Mohamed, Somali PM Abdi Weli Mohamed Ali, Female athlete Samsam Mohamed Farah and minister for Sport Mahmoud Jirde Hussein during a press conference at Villa Somalia.

"It is an honour for me to meet the Somali Athletes and officials that will take part in the Olympic games in London on the behalf of their Somali people," the UK ambassador to Somalia told the media.

The minister for youth and sport Mahmoud Jirde Hussein and the two athletes will represent Somalia in the up coming world Olympic games.

"The Olympics are much more than a sporting celebration. It is are about hope. It celebrates the values that bind all nationalities with commitment, dedication inspiration," the UK ambassador to Somalia said.

The Ambassor also added that the London Olympic Games will be a remembrance for both UK and Somalia.

"We look forward to welcoming you in London," the ambassador said.

Somali minister for sport Mahmoud Jirde Hussein, his deputy Dahir Hajji Guelleh and the state minister for sport Prof Abdullahi Sheik Ali also thanked the British ambassador to Somalia for coming to Mogadishu and completing all necessary travel documents for the Somali Olympic team to the London 2012 world Olympic Games.

However, Mohamed Hassan Mohamed and Samsam Mohamed Farah who will represent Somalia in the up coming world Olympic Games said they were happy to carry the nation's flag on their backs.

Shafi'i Mohyaddin Abokar is the NewsBlaze Somalia reporter. Contact him through NewsBlaze. Read more stories by Shafi'i Mohyaddin Abokar.