Tuesday October 20, 2020
By Shafi’i Mohyaddin Abokar
FILE - Duran Farah during the Somali Olympic Committee General Assembly in 2013.
Mogadishu (HOL) - Duran Ahmed Farah, a humanitarian worker and an influential sporting leader who has lent a firm commitment to the development of sport in Somalia, has now been appointed as the Minister of Labour and Social Affairs of the Federal Government of Somalia following a cabinet reshuffle.
Mr Farah previously held several positions in the Somali National Olympic Committee. He served as senior vice president, then general Secretary and as well as president of Somali NOC. He also served as Qatar Charity country director for Somalia.
Somalia's sporting community was quick to congratulate him on his appointment. Abdirizak Farah Omar (Goroje), said he felt elated that Farah was promoted to a ministerial post. He believes that Duran will work to promote sports and a healthy lifestyle within the federal government.
"I have known Duran for a long time. He has done a lot for Somali sport. Although he is not our Minister of Sport right now, I am sure he will still be in the position to continue his contribution to the development of Somali sport" said a prominent goalkeeper coach, Abdirizak Farah Omar (Goroje). The latter is also the father of Ocean Stars member Yonis Farah.
Somali Football Federation president, Abdiqani Said Arab, who doubles as CAF executive committee member, said that Duran's appointment as a government minister marks a special moment for Somali athletics.
"On behalf of the Somali football family, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Mr Duran on his appointment as the minister of labour and social affairs of the federal government of Somalia. I am hopeful his contribution to the sport will redouble" President Arab said.
Somali National Olympic Committee General Secretary, Mohamed Abdo Haji said: "I am adding my voice to those who are sending congratulations to Mr Duran for his appointment as a minister."
"Duran is one of the assets of Somali Olympic committee and to see him serving as a minister is something that makes all of us happy, and I am sure he has the competence to do such a job for the nation," Haji said.
After he was appointed as Minister of Labour and Social Affairs on Monday evening, Duran Ahmed Farah told the media that a challenging task lay ahead of him. He said his top priority is to establish programs to prevent Somalia's youth from risking their lives at sea or falling into the hands of extremist elements and criminals.
Somalia is one of the youngest countries in the world, with nearly three-quarters of the population under 30 years old.