Telesom Presented a cheque for US$20,000 towards the upcoming national football tournament in Hargeisa

He cited that sport is a vital tool in building healthy and cohesive society. He went on to say the donation was part of their corporate social responsibility stressing youth in the country deserved to smile like all youth around the world.

Mr. Abdi Saeed Raigal, minister of sports, expressed gratitude to Telesom and gave the assurance that the donation would be used for its intended purpose.

“We thank Telesom for its generous donation towards the national football tournament that will be held on the 15th of December,” he said.

He added: “I would like to stress that history will not forget traders and enterprise that help promote sport in the country.”

He promised to pull all the stops to ensure the tournament becomes an annual event that will only get bigger.

Mr. Raigal believes the event is a huge benefit to the youth who lack recreational activities and unemployment is said to be above 70 percent.

The tournament was held last year in the second city of Burao and about 8 regional teams took part in the event. The game concluded in Alamzi stadium with Maroodi Jeeh, this year’s host team, lifting the trophy after defeating Haud 1-0 in a tense battle.

Their win received the blessing of President Ahmed Mohamed Silanyo who addressed the spectators. “I send congratulatory message to all teams representing their states that took part in the tournament, spectators and soccer fans that showed their passion for sports and zeal. I am delighted that the Somaliland youth have turned to sports,” he said.

This year Haud and the other teams will be aiming to take the cup to their respective regions where heroes welcome awaits them.

Telesom is known for its innovations in Somaliland telecommunication sector. Telesom is the first operator to bring mobile banking “ZAAD” in 2009 and as well as rolling out the Horn of Africa’s first 3G networks in the country. More recently, it teamed up with global giant Google to unveil Gmail services in Somaliland.