As a part of its archery development plan in Africa for the year 2024, World Archery Africa (WAAf) organized its second Beginner Archery Coaches’ Course in partnership with the Somali Archery Federation (SAF) from 27 July to 1 August 2024. The course was held at Shimo Hotel in Mogadishu, Somalia under the supervision of coach trainer Djaafer Serir, ALG and coordinated by Ahmed Koura, EGY, WAAf Secretary General and International Judge.
20 candidate coaches (including 3 females) and archers took part in the course which was intended to help the Somali Archery Federation (SAF) create a national nucleus of coaches who can immediately start training young archers following World Archery’s Standard Teaching Process. The SAF will soon receive a set of beginner archery equipment from World Archery and is looking forward to spreading archery in different clubs in Somalia.
The President of the Somali Archery Federation, Mr. Abdullahi Abow Hussein exerted too much effort to provide all required facilities and equipment for the success of this course. He invited many VIP’s to the course’s opening including the Head of Sports Department in the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the President of the Somali Football Federation, President of the Table Tennis Federation, and executive board members of the Somali Archery Federation.
The Minister of Youth and Sports Mr. Mohamed Barre Mohamud welcomed WAAf expert, the Course Coordinator, and the President of the Somali Archery Federation in his office and confirmed his absolute support to the Somali Archery Federation and willingness to help this federation carry out its plans, namely spreading archery throughout Somalia until he sees Somali archers in international competitions and events.
The end of the course saw different ways of evaluation and certificates of participation were distributed to all participants who were encouraged to start applying what they have learnt in training many competing archers with the hope of getting certified World Archery Level 1 Coaches as a next step.
One of the strong points in Somalia as far as archery is concerned, is that it is a traditional sport deeply rooted in the country’s history, practiced on a wide scale, and has a lot of fans. The WAAf expert and Course Coordinator were invited to attend a competition in traditional archery which was held at the Football Stadium in Mogadishu.
Traditional archery in Somalia is really a unique sport. Archers shoot from the sitting position and the target is a piece of rubber on the ground 60m from the shooting line (similar to Clout archery). They use wooden bows and arrows with very special shooting rules. The passion for archery is already there and perpetuated in Somalia, which is a major asset to the speedy development of this sport in such a beautiful country.
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