Jubaland State president shows his favoritism for football

Regional Jubbaland State President Sheik Ahmed Mohamed Islam (Madoobe) Shakes hands with footballers before enjoying a league match on February 6 2015.

After becoming the first leader to allow his regional State to access a free and fair local football election in December 2014, the regional Jubba State president Sheik Ahmed Mohamed Islam (Madoobe) has showed his interest for football.

Out of a number of Somali regional state leaders, Sheikh Ahmed Madoobe became the only one who made his way to Stadium Banadir to watch a national league match. He enjoyed a hotly-contested football match between Banadir Sports Club and Sahafi FC which ended in 0-0 on 6th of February 2015.

Sheik Madoobe, a moderate leader had attracted much praise and appreciation from Somali Football Federation for showing his commitment and favoritism for football. we are welcoming such a footballloving leader” said Somali Football Federation senior vice president Ali Abdi Mohamed.

The regional state leader was accompanied by several high profile officials including National intelligence and Security Agency, General Abdirahman Mohamed Turyare, Somali ambassador to Kenya Dr. Mohamed Ali Nur (Ameeriko), a favorite SFF diplomat who assisted Somali National team for so many years when they travelled to Kenya and Tanzania for football matches.

“The arrival of Sheik Ahmed Madoobe here at the Stadium shows how he is committed to football and In the past, Somali regional governmental authorities always appointed football leaders in their regions, but when the SFF stood firm on its decision that local football volunteers in regions must be elected and that regional authorities must not interfere, Sheik Ahmed Madoobe became the first leader to welcome the development and as a result the regional Jubba football authorities were elected with SFF officials monitoring their election.