Amoud University And Awdal Athletes Have The Right Values

EDITORIAL

The recent detention of QARAN party leaders, the standoff between President Rayale Kahin and parliament regarding the two remaining members of the election commission, the breakdown in talks between parliament and the upper house (Guurti) all convey a picture of Somaliland as a country in the grip of a serious crisis. The sense of apprehension is heightened when one takes into account that the country is entering an election mode with all the attendant rise in political rhetoric, psychological manipulation and jockeying for power.

Tired of one bad news after another and worried about the future of their country, the spirits of many Somalilanders were uplifted by the good news from Amoud University, where, for the first time in history, five medical doctors graduated from a university in Somaliland. Some might say what is the big deal about five doctors graduating in a country of about three and half million? This is a valid question, but it could only be raised by someone who does not know where Somaliland was before it restored its independence, and how far it has come.

After Amoud University, it was the turn of Awdal’s athletes who came down to Hargeysa for the regional games. Awdal’s athletes put on a superb performance which won them the respect and admiration of the majority of the spectators. Unfortunately, when Awdal’s soccer team won against Hargeysa, a few hooligans threw stones at the Awdal team thus injured five of Awdal’s players as well as Hargeysa’s coach.

This incident put a bit of a damper on the soccer championship games, and people began to wonder if the Awdal team would be affected by what happened, and how it will do in its championship finals game against Togdheer. All such doubts were dispelled the minute the game started. Awdal’s team played with confidence and determination, and they led 1-0 in the first half. The regular time of the match ended with a 1-1 draw. Awdal eventually lost on kicks, but it had made its point: it would not be intimidated by thugs and hoodlums.

Awdal’s athletes were sending to all of Somaliland the same message that Amoud University was sending: excellence, peaceful competition and solidarity. It is the opposite of the hooligans’ message which was: my team should win regardless of its performance, I will commit violence if I don’t get my way, and I hate those who don’t belong to my group. In other words, Amoud University and Awdal athletes symbolize values that are diametrically opposed to those of the mob that threw stones at Awdal’s soccer team.

When put next to each other, it is relatively easy to see that the values of Amoud University and Awdal athletes are superior to those of the thugs whose despicable acts marred what would have been perfectly organized games.

It is the values of Amoud University and Awdal athletes that would serve Somaliland the best. We salute Amoud University and Awdal athletes for leading the way to a better future.

Source: Somaliland Times

Home | Contact us | Links | Archives | Search