In his talk he spoke about the growth of sports media
sector in Somalia and a number of key other issues relating to the role the
media can play in the promotion of football in the whole of Africa.
"First I would like to thank CAF for giving me this high
profile opportunity to deliver this lecture to the media officers attending in
the seminar. This is a golden moment for me to exercise my experience and the
knowledge I gained from a previous CAF seminar and I will share them with you”
Somali Football Federation director of communication, Shafi’i Mohyaddin Abokar,
told the friendly participants.
Before going down to it, Mr. Abokar first spoke about the growth of sports journalism in Somalia and how the sports media sector in the country has been progressing in the past two years during which a number of media houses including TVs and radio stations which only broadcast sports news, comments and interviews were established in Somalia.
He praised the spots media in Somalia for playing a big
role in the promotion of the game in the country adding that most of foreign
players in Somalia came through the media after contacting sports journalists
who put them in touch with football clubs in Somalia where they finally secured
agreements which led them to their arrival in the country.
In his lecture, the Somali Football Federation director
of communication, Shafi’i Mohyaddin Abokar, explained about how hugely it was
important for CAF Member Associations’ media officers to develop a very healthy
and cooperative relations with FIFA and CAF media departments and as well as
local and international media.
"I encourage you
(Media officers) to always develop your cooperation with FIFA and CAF media
divisions; because they are the people we work with. Also make sure that you
have a continued and cooperative relations with international media and as well
as the media people in your respective countries. This will help your endeavors
to develop the game in your countries” He told the capacity workshop
participants.
At the end of his lecture, the Somali Football Federation
director of communication, Shafi’i Mohyaddin Abokar, was asked several
questions by the media officers in the seminar and he gave very detailed
answers to all questions he was asked.
Media officers from CAF- Member associations in the
seminar were very delighted with the lecture which they said was more
beneficial to them and will help them make changes in their countries towards
the way sports media and the FAs media officers would have to develop
co-operations. A lot of media officers in the seminar have given their
views about the lecture and here are quotes from some of them:
Bakay
B Baldeh (Gambia) "Shafi’i
your lecture was very good and it helped us a great deal, it also helped us to
enhance our knowledge of media offficer’s job and how you as a person have been
a media officer for Somalia and worked also in Djibouti. Specially the skills
and tactics that you used in order to be able to engage and encourage the
general public in Somalia to follow football and also your efforts in making
sure that the sports press reports 90% percent of football activities in
Somalia. Your presentation has helped us more and it will encourage us to use
the skills that you showed us during your lecture. Thank you”
Bonnie
Mugabe (Rwanda). :Shafi’i I thank you for the well-built lecture you
have delivered. It carried a lot of important examples which are more
beneficial, thank you for your lecture”
Otieno
Barry (Kenya). "I know one of the players who appeared in
the pictures in your presentation, it is true that media in Somalia are having
a big role in your football, because I knew when that player in the picture was
traveling to Somalia. He told me that a journalist was taking him to Somalia to
play for a football team in Somalia. I first though he was going to join
militants, but I finally found out he joined a football team in Somalia. I
really admired your lecture and it gives us a lot of advantage on how to use
the media to help develop football.”
Wondimkun
Alayou (Ethiopia) "I really enjoyed your lecture Shafi’i and
to me it gave me more knowledge and experience. I am sure I benefitted a lot
from your lecture. It was a good example of how a media officer can handle his
job and the skills that a football media officer must use to make a better
approach:
Somali FA Director of Communcation Shafi'i Mohyaddin Abokar Delivers A lecture at CAF Seminar For African football Media fficers PHOTO BY Gomezgani Zaka Zaka
Story: By Omar Wardere.
Somali FA Media Committee Member
Email:info@somsoccer.com