1st Somalia national sports tournament in 23 years opens in Puntland

The first national sports tournament held inside Somalia in 23 years opened in the northern stable state of Puntland on Wednesday, Radio Garowe reports.
The football tournament is between teams representing 15 regions, including five regions within Puntland.
The team regions are as follows: Bari (Bossaso), Nugaal, Sool, Sanaag, Mudug (Galkayo), Galgadud, Hiraan (Beledweyne), Bay (Baidoa), Bakool, Gedo, Lower Shabelle (Marka), Middle Shabelle (Jowhar), Banadir (Mogadishu), Middle Jubba, and Lower Jubba (Kismayo).

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Out of Somalia's pre-1991 administrative regions which were 18 in number, only three regions (Togdher [Burao], Northwest [Hargeisa] and Awdal [Borame]) did not participate because of internal pressure by Somaliland's separatist government.
There were reports that a team from Gabiley, near Somaliland capital of Hargeisa, attempted to sneak out of Somaliland to attend the football tournament in Puntland, but were seized by Somaliland police, according to football sources.Read More