The start of Somalia’s 2015 General 

Da’ud cup has seen a devastating loss
for Jamhuuriyo FC when they were handed a 5-0 defeat by Banadir Sports
Club in the opening match on Tuesday.

The competition which will last until 20th of December 2015, has gathered
16 clubs which were divided into four groups.

Top-ranking Somali military
officers, Somali FA executive committee members and club authorities
attended the launching ceremony of the competition.

Somali FA secretary General, Hassan Mohamed Mohamud, who addressed at the opening ceremony of the competition, said that his federation has been remembering General Da’ud with a football tourney since after 1972.

“This is mainly to honor the late father of Somalia’s armed forces” he said.

SFF senior vice president, Ali Abdi Mohamed, added that it was a great
pleasure for his federation that the General Da’ud competition is being
held this year with the participation of 16 clubs, while it previously had
12 clubs in participation.

The broadening of the tournament is part of the cooperation between the SFF and Somali National Army who sponsors the competition.

He thanked the army chief of staff, the commander and other high-ranking
officers for their role in the promotion of football in the country.

Somali army commander, General Ali Bashi Mohamed Haji, said it was an
honor for the country’s armed forces that their founding father is still
remembered with such a football competition.

“General Da’ud was born in 1924 in the village of Mareeg south east of the
country and he died in 1965.

Somali FA and the National Army will continue holding the completion” the army commander said adding that the
organization of General Da’ud cup has strengthened the already healthy
cooperation between the two national institutions.

The General Da’ud cup is the 2nd most populous sporting event and is
annually organized by the Somali Football Federation.

The competition is titled in the honor of the late General Da’ud Abdulle Hersi who is respected in the country as the founding father of Somali military.

Collins Okinyo

Ex- CAF Media Expert. An expert on African football with over 15 years experience ,always with an ear to the ground with indepth knowledge of the game. I have worked for top publications including 7 years at www.supersport.com until i founded www.soka25east.com to quench the thirst of football lovers across the continent. I have trained young upcoming journalists who are now a voice in African football.I have covered World Cup,AFCON,CHAN,Champions League,Confederations Cup,Cecafa,Cosafa,Wafu and many other football tournaments across the World. Founder Football Africa Arena(FAA),Founder www.afrisportdigital.com