Dr Mohamed Osman sponsors SYL Cup to celebrate SYL youth

From May 6th to 9th, 2024, the SYL Cup football tournament was held at Ma’aqul Stadium in Mogadishu. The tournament commemorated the struggles of the SYL youth, who championed the unification of all Somali territories. Through Alpha Media and Consultancy, the tournament was fully sponsored by Dr. Mohamed Osman who advocates for environmental and peace issues. He is the Sub-regional representative of the United Nation’s University for Peace in the Middle East, Eastern and Southern Africa, as well as the CEO of Sadar Institute. The football tournament brought together eight teams that represented; Sports Journalists, Tiktokers, the team representing the deaf people, Political Journalists, Judges, Kulmis, YouTubers and Coaches or Managers. In the final match of the tournament, the team representing the Sports Journalists and the team representing the Coaches faced each other, and the victors were the team of coaches/managers who won on penalties after the game ended 3-3. Alpha Media and Consultancy CEO, Fu’ad Haji Abdiwali, graced at the event and handed over the trophy to the winners. He also awarded the players who were voted to be the player of the tournament, the most disciplined player and the top goal scorer of the tournament.

The youths who participated in the competition thanked Dr. Mohamed Osman. They praised him as a person who brings the young generation together, is very active, and always seeks to introduce new and exciting opportunities for young people. They believe these qualities make him a strong leader deserving of a high position in the country. “I want to express my gratitude to Dr. Mohamed Osman for organizing this competition for us. He truly unites the youth with his passion for sports. His knowledge and dedication are impressive, and I, along with many others, wholeheartedly support his efforts. Personally, I believe he should continue this excellent work and hope to see him pursue even higher leadership roles in Somalia, perhaps even the presidency,” Aaayrta, one of the youths said. Dadir Amin who is a renowned football manager in Mogadishu said that, “we are grateful to Dr. Mohamed Osman for organizing such a wonderful competition. It brought together a large number of people, and for that, Dr. Osman, who generously sponsored the event, deserves all the praise. We certainly hope to see more such initiatives from him in the future”. Dr. Mohamed Osman advocates for two critical issues for Somalia: environmental protection and peacebuilding. Somalia has a greater need for progress in these areas compared to many other countries globally.

Dr. Mohamed Osman’s achievements have garnered him recognition on multiple fronts. He was featured as one of the 25 Somalis of the year in our inaugural Dr Mohamed Osman sponsors SYL Cup to celebrate SYL youth The list of SYL’s 13 original founders and leaders; i. Abdulkadir Sheikh Sakhawudeen ii. Yasin Haji Osman Sharmarke iii. Dahir Haji Osman Sharmarke (Dhegaweyne) iv. Mohamed Hirsi Nur (Seyedin) v. Haji Mahamed Hussein Hamud vi. Osman Geeddi Rage vii.Dhere Haji Dhere viii. Ali Hasan Maslah ix. Mohamed Ali Nur, x. Mohamed Farah Hilowle xi. H. Mohamed Abdullahi Hayesi 5 MAGAZINE JUNE 2024 21 program, highlighting his significant contributions to society. Additionally, the prestigious Paris-based publication, African Intelligence, recognized him as one of the top 3 young movers and shakers in African business and politics. A Somali economist, Dr. Mohamed Osman, serves on the National Economic Council and advises the President of the Federal Republic of Somalia on economic matters. What is SYL in Somalia? The Somali Youth League (SYL) initially known as the Somali Youth Club (SYC), was the first political party in Somalia. It played a key role in the nation’s road to independence during the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s. During the Second World War, Britain occupied Italian Somaliland and militarily administered the territory from 1941 to 1950. Under British rule in Somalia, the first modern Somali political party, the Somali Youth Club (SYC), was subsequently established in Mogadishu in 1943. At its foundation in 1943, the party had thirteen founding members. The Harari would become members in 1946 when SYL opened an office in Harar. SYL supported Greater Somalia with Harar being the capital and a combined Harari-Somali representatives were commissioned to reveal this proposal to the U.N office in Mogadishu. Somali Youth League members were significantly influenced by the earlier religious rebellion at the turn of the century of various religious figures such as Sheikh Uways al-Barawi, Sheikh Hassan Barsane and Mohammed Abdullah Hassan. In the first national elections after independence, held on 30 March 1964, the SYL won an absolute majority of 69 of the 123 parliamentary seats. The remaining seats were divided among 11 parties. Five years from then, in general elections held in March 1969, the ruling SYL led by Mohammed Ibrahim Egal returned to power. The Somali Youth League’s establishment on May 15, 1943 is annually commemorated in Somalia. Official celebrations are organized throughout the country on this Somali Youth Day to honour the SYL’s members and their key role in the nation’s path to independence.