Somalia to send delegation to Beijing Olympics (china.org.cn)

Somalia, though not totally free from the plague of civil conflicts, will send a delegation to Beijing for the 2008 Olympic Games.

 

Duran Farah, head of international relations of Somalia National Olympic Committee (NOC), told Xinhua News Agency on Thursday in an exclusive interview that the Somalia NOC has maintained taking the responsibility to organize a delegation to take part in the Olympic Games over the past years, despite many difficulties.

 

The Horn of Africa country has been without authorities since 1991.

 

The Beijing Olympic Games will not be an exception and Somalia will send a delegation which is not large, said Farah.

 

The official noted that the Somali delegates will not only come from those living within Somalia but include some people residing abroad to escape domestic strife to present opportunities for both the groups.

 

For the preparation work done by the Chinese side, Farah revealed that some Somali official has been to Beijing to see the situation. "There are lots of hot preparation going on at the moment (in China), and we are confident about the Beijing Olympic Games and eager to be there."

 

In addition, Farah said China has played a role in promoting the sports development in Somalia. The largest stadium in East Africa thirty years ago was built by Chinese in the Somali capital of Mogadishu.

 

Farah was in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi to participate in the Olympic Solidarity Forum preparing a delegation for participation in the Olympic Games, which was organized and funded by the International Olympic Committee.

 

The two-day forum started on Thursday during which the Chinese side will report their preparation work for the Beijing Olympic Games.

 

(Xinhua News Agency October 12, 2007)