Jijiga (Lamaane.net) – Sitti Zone's football team secured the 13th Somali Regional State (SRS) Regional Games football championship on Friday, July 10, defeating Shabelle Zone 2-1 in the final before senior regional leaders and thousands of spectators in Sitti Zone.
President of Somali Regional State Mustafe Mohamed Omar presented the championship trophy to the victorious Sitti Zone squad following the closely contested final. The match was attended by the regional president, Vice President of the Somali Regional State, the Minister of the Regional Youth and Sports Office, senior government officials, thousands of football supporters, Somali international referee Omar Artan, and the head coach of the Ethiopia national football team.
The final attracted a large crowd, with supporters from both Sitti Zone, formerly known as Shinnile, and Shabelle Zone, previously known as Gode, filling the venue. Fans displayed regional colors throughout the match, creating a lively atmosphere as both teams exchanged attacking opportunities before Sitti secured the decisive goal to claim the title.
Speaking during the trophy presentation, President Mustafe Mohamed Omar congratulated the players, coaching staff and supporters, describing the tournament as an important platform for strengthening unity, youth participation and sporting excellence across the Somali Regional State. Regional officials also praised both finalists for demonstrating discipline and competitive spirit throughout the championship.
"The tournament continues to serve as an opportunity to bring together young people from across the region through sport and mutual respect," a regional sports official said during the closing ceremony.
A supporter who attended the final told Lamaane News Network that the atmosphere reflected the significance of the competition for communities across the region. "People traveled from different zones to support their teams, and today's final showed how football can unite communities despite the rivalry on the pitch," the spectator said.
The SRS Regional Games bring together athletes representing the region's administrative zones in multiple sporting disciplines, with football traditionally drawing the largest audiences. The annual competition is intended to promote youth development, encourage healthy competition and strengthen social cohesion through organized sport.
Regional authorities said the games remain an important investment in youth engagement and grassroots sports development, supporting broader efforts to identify promising athletes and strengthen football across the Somali Regional State.
