Turkish embassy in Somalia marks World Sight Day with goalball tournament for visually impaired youth

By Mohamed Dhaysane

MOGADISHU, Somalia (AA) - The Turkish Embassy in Somalia commemorated World Sight Day on Friday with a goalball tournament in Mogadishu, bringing together Somali officials, UN representatives, and visually impaired youth to promote inclusion and raise awareness.

In a statement, the embassy said, “We organized a goalball match at our Embassy in collaboration with the UN in Somalia and the Association of Visually Impaired Youth on the occasion of the 10 October World Sight Day.”

The event was jointly organized by the Turkish Embassy, the United Nations Mission in Somalia (UNSOM), and Somalia’s Association of Visually Impaired Youth. Two teams, named “Executives” and “Drama,” competed in the goalball match, a sport designed specifically for athletes with visual impairments. The game was officiated by Somalia’s Minister of Family and Human Rights Development, Lt. Gen. Bashir Mohamed Jama.

The event drew prominent Somali government officials, including the Minister of Youth and Sports, Mohamed Bare Mohamud, and Minister of Endowments and Religious Affairs, Sheikh Mukhtar Robow. Acting UN Special Representative for Somalia James Swan and Turkish Ambassador to Somalia Alper Aktas, were also among the spectators.

Türkiye, a strong ally of Somalia, has made substantial investments in Somalia’s education, infrastructure, and health sectors, alongside providing extensive humanitarian assistance. Türkiye also operates its largest overseas military facility in Mogadishu, where it trains members of the Somali National Army.