After more than 10 years of diplomatic process and negotiations, Somalia finally secured its seat in the East African Community, becoming the eighth member of the trade block three weeks ago.To celebrate the diplomatic triumph, Somali Football Federation organised a four-team football tourney which kicked off at the country’s national football facility on Thursday with Dekedda Sports Club defeating Jeenyo FC 3-1 in the opening match of the “Celebrate with Somalia” tournament. Elman FC defeated Mogadishu City Club 4-2 in another match played this afternoon. “We have organised this special tournament to express our feeling of excitement, because we see the joining of the block as a gateway to a greater football development and integration,” Somali Football Federation president, Ali Abdi Mohamed, said in a statement.East African Community membership is good for football promotionThe president of Somali Football Federation, Ali Abdi Mohamed, sees his country’s joining of the East African trade block as a positive step in terms of football development, saying that the free movement between the member countries will give Somali footballers an opportunity to easily travel around the region for unofficial football friendlies. Harambee Starlets fall as Tanzania, Uganda and Namibia rise in latest FIFA rankings##NAJAVA_MECA_7748063##“When Somalia’s joining of the East African Community was first announced last month, the only thing that came to my mind was that Somali youths will have a greater opportunity to move freely across the region and enjoy football with their brothers and sisters in the other countries of the block” Somali Football Federation president, Ali Abdi Mohamed, said.“Somalis are football-mad people and love competitions, so the joining of the block will see an increasing number of young Somalis traveling for unofficial football matches against their friends across the region and this will help promote football both in our country and in the rest of the member countries,” president Ali Abdi Mohamed added.Previously Somalis needed entry visas to member countries of the block except Rwanda which is visa free for all Africans, meaning that to enter other countries of the EAC, Somali footballers like other citizens of Somalia would have to go through visa processing when traveling for CECAFA tournaments or other official football matches, but now that Somalia is a full member, all routes are open to the people of Somalians. Member countries of the East African block are Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo and the newest country, Somalia.© AIPS
