West-friesland wins HIRDA Summer Cup 2016

The 8^th edition of HIRDA summer cup was held in Amsterdam on June 4^th, 2016 with West-Friesland team being crowned as the 2016 champions. In a tense finale, West-Friesland beat a team from Valkenswaard by 1-0 to take the trophy home

HIRDA organizes the annual tournament to engage Somali Diaspora Youth into the Dutch society and development of their country of origin. Networking and Diaspora engagement play a big role in these tournaments as well.

Sixteen team from sixteen cities 

Sixteen teams - drawn from fifteen cities in the Netherlands and one from Belgium-participated in the one-day tournament. The games were exciting and showcased young Somali talents that have promising future if natured.

Best player and top scorer awards

It was not only the finalists who were awarded winner’s trophy and medals. Also feted were individuals who exhibited exemplary skills and/or attitudes during the course of the tournament. Best player award was given to the best individual performer. Also, top scorer was awarded for his performance.

During the game, Eng Barre, a Somali academic presented a book called; “Dutch language self-study”. The book contains phrases and words in Somali and Dutch. According to him, this book can help many Somalis in the Netherlands and Belgium with learning the Dutch language.

In attendance to watch the live action were top HIRDA officials, Somali intellectuals, elders, famous Somalia sports personalities and hundreds of youths – mostly Somalis. This year’s special guest was; Faduma Cali Nuur, a member of Somali National Olympic Committee.