The masses watching the games in peace.

Garowe, Dec 17 – In twenty years, Somalia’s regional football tournament is being held in Garowe, state capital of Puntland state of Somalia. The kick-off was on Dec 15th, and the games are progressing as planned. Of the 18 regions of pre-civil war Somalia, 15 are being represented in the games with their squads currently hosted in Garowe. In its third day, the games are continuing without a hitch and with much celebrations and festivities in Garowe, and elsewhere in Somalia. So far, local teams have shown some flair winning opening games with Bari region touted as the favourite to win the tournament - Bari is the current holder of Puntland’s regional football cup. Nugal has also won its opening game with Mudug barely landing a draw against Banadir (1-1), and Sool settling for a point against Gedo (3-3). Lower Shabelle squad has shown remarkable tenacity and skill in its opening game against Bakool scoring 4 goals, yet conceding 3 goals in the second half of the game. Group D teams play on Saturday and all eyes are on the Sanaag squad which has shown promise in this year’s regional games. This is no South Africa 2010 world cup, and there are neither vuvuzelas at Mire Awaare Stadium nor are there highly paid, world famous football players on the pitch, but Garowe 2010 is as much of a celebration for young Somalis as it is a break from the calamities that had become a moniker for the nation. The tournament is the talk of town in Somalia, and it is very closely followed by Somalis in the Diaspora rooting for their favourite teams from the distant. Some had been very lucky to have travelled to Garowe to follow the games and lend their support. Others will have to settle watching video clips, listening on the wireless, or staying close to the blogosphere for the latest scores and tallies. Not participating in the games are the 3 regions in the Northwest (Somaliland) namely Togdheer, Awadal and Northwest. And although invited to participate in the tournament, Somaliland administration boycotted the annual regional games. Puntland holds its annual regional games in the summer, and so is Somaliland. The tournament is sponsored by the Somali sports association in collaboration with Puntland’s sports association; Puntland administration is providing logistics, security and orderly continuation of the tournament through the ministry of Sports & Labour, and state ministry of Good Governance.

Ammin Ammir strikes again..

^^^You are wrong Xaji-Canduf, Mudug has a great deal of Oil and CNOOC is after that. Siilanyu is going to purchase some cheap shoes from China and ship it to Hargaysa, yup..

A&T, A&T what u gonna do, what you gonna do when they come for you...

lool@Salaax, how can we take this news seriously when the report does not even know where Mudug is located. Now you know they are mixing up Puntland deal with CNOOC and the secessionist traingle. Also the map shows the whole of NW Somalia, will they search every village? Come of it mate..

I think they meet in the next round... They are the two best teams so far. But its early days still.

Jowhar looks deadly this season..

The Chinese company wants to pick up acreage in Somaliland where Conoco identified oil and gas reserves in the 1980s. CNOOC made an initial attempt to debut in the province in 2006 by negotiating a production sharing contract covering the Mudug area in Somaliland with the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) in Mogadishu. Secessionists are becoming ever more desperate now, they are claiming Mudug?

Sanaag's victory over Bay, is another good prospect for the Puntland teams in the tournament..

Thanks Xiin, loved the IRIN report.. Its a remarkable event, a historic one at that.. Nuune, keep us updated old boy, your Banadir seem to be struggling though..

We need to move on. Camels are so 20th century...

Nugaal Vs Hiiraan looks interesting.

At the begging of the post they are charging everyone. By the mid point we have two freed. Its all a shables in Siilanyuland..

^^^I am ok sis, thank you. Hope you are ok. You have have to admit that picture is a classic. Enjoy the games, Banadir is in but barely..:cool:

Mudug has done well, we look forward to a good draw in the next round..

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4002085,00.html

Bat Yam rally: Death to Jewish women who date Arabs 200 people demonstrate in city center against 'Arabs who are taking our daughters'; leftists wave signs reading 'Jews and Arabs refuse to be enemies' Yoav Zitun Latest Update: 12.21.10, 06:54 / Israel News share Some 200 people held a demonstration in central Bat Yam Monday evening against relationships between local Jewish women and Arab men. One of the protestors called out, "Any Jewish woman who goes with an Arab should be killed; any Jew who sells his home to an Arab should be killed." 'We will not allow it.' Bat Yam rally (Photo: Ofer Amram) During the rally, held under the banner, "We Want a Jewish Bat-Yam", demonstrators also insulted the prophet Muhammad and made racist remarks against Arabs and their saints. Police forces maintained order, but did not act when the demonstrators made racist remarks. "We are not racist, we are just Jews. The Arabs are coming and taking our daughters. We will not allow it," one of the speakers said. Moshe Ben-Zikri of Eilat said the "struggle" began three years ago in Givat Ze'ev. "There were 330 Arab families there, and the Jewish women would walk around with them freely. We vowed this would not happen again. "Just like we triumphed there, we will triumph in Bat Yam as well. We are not afraid of the police, the media or the Arabs – we only fear God," he said. Mayor: Climb on a different tree Bat Yam Mayor Shlomo Lahyani strongly condemned the event and those who took part in it. "The city of Bat Yam denounces any racist phenomenon. This is a democratic country with laws," Lahyani told Ynet angrily. He denied claims made by extreme right-wing activists Itamar Ben-Gvir and Baruch Marzel that this was a local initiative. "I would like these honorable gentlemen to find a different tree to climb on, far from Bat Yam. I am certain and I know that most of the protestors are not Bat Yam residents. This is a foolish attempt to create a provocation, which has failed." Ben-Gvir and Marzel responded to the mayor's accusations, saying that "Mr. Lahyani has failed in his attempt to ignore the harsh reality in Bat Yam, which has been taken over by hostile elements and is suffering from assimilation. The crowd which took part in the protest was furious at the failure to deal with this phenomenon. We suggest that Lahyani stop ignoring the danger." One of the event's organizers, Bentzi Gupstein told Ynet Sunday night, "So many Arabs are dating Jewish women, and the public is fed up with it. A short distance away, about 200 leftists and Arab residents of Bat Yam held a counter protest. They waved signs reading, "We're fed up with racists" and "Jews and Arabs refuse to be enemies".

sad story, now they will blame the Somali's... I am glad I am home and living in the west..

^^^What Homo comment? lol. As for the truth, the Puntland admin has a hold of all those regions. The secessionist delusions aside no one can stop our admin from their land.. Also no leader in Somalia today has as much real estate under his direct control, no travelled longer distances than President Faroole. Thats the truth lads.

Zack adeer, Faroole can visit Buhiudle and La, and any other region of Puntland. You are starting to dance like that kid JB, was promoting in the general section..

^^^Dont get upset, just because one has highlighted to you the truth. Sharif was the leader and founder of Al Shabaab. It was he who declared this "Jihad" that continues till today..

^^^One expects such rubish from you. For you support who since he "returned" and became a leader, brought death and destruction to the people of Mogadishu. Sharif gave us, Al Shabaab, Hizbul Islaam, and a Parliment of 550 MP's and the weakest government in history. This is his gift to those who support him. The rest of Somalia can see how he has benefited his clan and those who foolishly belived in him. We dont want this gift.