VOICE OF AMERICA
For the first time in decades, young basketball players in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, are holding tournaments at night thanks to improved security.
For years, warlords and terrorist groups denied young Somalis the ability to play sports. At the Wiish Stadium in Mogadishu, enthusiastic fans filled the capital’s basketball court in April 2015 to witness a night sporting event — the first in two decades.
Before entry, guards frisked all the supporters to assure attendees, basketball players and officials the game would be secure.
Most of these young Somalis, born after the collapse of the government more than two decades ago, had never attended a night sports event. This is something the Somali Basketball Federation said is changing now after gains by African Union and Somali forces against al-Shabaab militants.
“Many challenges are facing the country, but security is improving compared to the previous years,” said Hawa Sheikh Ahmed of the Somali Basketball Association. “Things are changing, and that’s why we organized the events to take place at night.”
Abdinassir Nur Gedi is a photojournalist who also plays basketball for a local Mogadishu team. He said sports are the best way to unite people, and playing games at night will let more people come to the games after work.
“I am very happy we play at night,” he said. “It promotes and encourages security. Young people, me included, come here every evening to watch teams compete instead of wasting time on other irrelevant things. When I come here to watch the games, I feel relaxed and happy that I didn’t waste my time on other things.”
Basketball is the most popular sport among university and high school students in the capital. Although each of the 16 districts in Mogadishu has a basketball court, most are dilapidated.
Somali Basketball Federation official Mustaf Abdiaziz Mohamed said the group is working to change this, and night games will attract more support and let young Somalis be more competitive in international tournaments.
“It’s historic for us because 25 years ago was the last time we witnessed games being played at night,” he said. “Twenty-five years ago basketball was played at night just like it’s always played in the other parts of the world. So our players will not have a hard time playing at night when they leave for tournaments abroad.”
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