Hargeisa (THT):- The President H.E. Musa Bihi Abdi appealed to the media fraternity not to perpetuate ill-innuendos by blowing issues out of proportions.
The Head of State gave the sentiments yesterday following the casualties resulting on Friday during the on-going soccer tournaments that caused slight fracas at Hargeisa Stadium.
The populace, from all walks of life, have this time round depicted their enthusiasm more markedly.
He noted in his morale-boosting tour that the competitions would continue on well and as smoothly as it had been going on. He personally opened the kick-off of the tournament a fortnight ago.
During an official impromptu visit he made to various government institutions yesterday, Sunday 13th November, the president’s tour culminated at the stadium.
The President walked from the Presidency and toured the Ministries of Youth and sports, Interior, Defense, Regional administration, Education and lastly medical ethics commission board before going on to the stadium.
In each of the headquarters of the various institutions, he was briefed by the associated heads of departments on the service rendered to the public.
At the stadium, at hand to receive him were top traditional leaders, politicians and local leaders.
The President was thankful to Allah that the tournaments were smoothly and procedurally going on hence that it has gone well as far as the national public relations was concerned.
It is worth noting that the national soccer tournaments is being aired and watched worldwide.
Talking of the games he said, “I am thankful that our soccer skills has amazed many in the world and our standards (organizational, playing) are awesome”.
He noted that it has gone down well in uplifting the country’s image internationally, hence that he hoped and expected it to continue smoothly to the end.
As concerns the slight fracas amongst the supportive fraternal fans, the president said, “I call upon the supporters amongst the youth to control their emotions”.
In the same breath the president added, “The media fraternity should not blow issues out of proportions to ferment unnecessary troubles.”
He said that the situation was quite peaceful and the games would continue in the same stable manners.
The minister of interior who flanked the head of state had words of caution to the fans, calling upon them to refrain from any acts of hooliganism.
He pointed out that sporting activities were expected to bond the populace together rather than polarizing them.
Similar words whose advises echoed those of Hon Mohamed Kahin Ahmed, were given by local traditional leaders Sultan Barre Hussein Arale and Sultan Abdi Abdillahi.