Sport in Somalia
Located in the Horn of Africa, it is known to have the longest coastline in all of Africa. This country is mostly flat land which makes it perfect for football. It is therefore no wonder why football is the most popular sport in this country.
The first Somali football teams were established in the mid 1940's. They mostly compete locally with not a lot of international exposure. Their national football team, the Ocean Stars, is more commonly referred to "giant killers" since they are often considered as the underdogs whenever they do compete internationally. Some of the brightest football stars went on to play in various European Premiere Leagues such as Liban Abdi, Abdisalam Ibrahim, Mohammed Ahamed Jama, and Ayub Daud.
the Somali National football team trainingOther than football, there are other sports where Somalia is quite known for and that is track and field. Some of the most recognizable names in track and field came from this part of the world like Abdi Bile, who took the 1987 World Championship for 1500m as well as the setting the record for the fastest 800m in any 1500m race in history. Another Somalia-born runner, Hussein Ahmed Salah, took medals in the 1985 IAAF World Marathon Cup, World Championships (1987 and 1991) and the 1988 Summer Olympics. Somalia-born, Mo Farah still has the European track record in 10,000m and indoor record for 5000m as well as the British track record in 5000m and indoor record for 3000m. And the list of world-class Somali runners goes on.
Below are details of sports, sporting events and sports people related to Somalia.
Popular sports of Somalia
- Football (Soccer), track and field,
Somalian Sporting Success
Great athletes from Somalia
- Abdi Bile (track & field)
Somalia Sports trivia
- British runner Mo Farah was born in Somalia.
Somalia at major events
Past sporting events hosted in Somalia
Upcoming sporting events in Somalia
Annual sporting events held in Somalia
Sporting Facilities in Somalia
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