Mogadishu(Mogadishu24)-The Somali Football Federation announced on Saturday the postponement of the 2023 annual tournament between Federal Member States and the Benadir region, a day after it was officially opened yesterday on Friday.

In a statement, the football federation noted that the tournament has been delayed for two days and is scheduled to resume on Monday, January 1, 2024.

“We would like to inform the fans that the football tournament between federal member states and the Benadir region has been postponed for two days and will resume on 1st January 2024. In the meantime, we will share the revised fixtures for the remaining matches,” reads the statement from the Football Federation.

“We urge all the teams and their supporters to remain calm and prepare for their next matches,” the statement added.

The opening match of the tournament took place on Friday at Mogadishu Stadium between Hirshabelle and Galmudug states, concluding in a draw but attracting over 46,000 fans.

The stadium was filled with team colors and waving flags by enthusiastic supporters, showcasing a passion for football.

The first match of the tournament was inaugurated by the Prime Minister of Somalia, Hamza Abdi Barre, who emphasized the significant role of sports in bringing together people from different backgrounds. He stated that sports is a unifying factor for the Somali community, which has been facing several challenges, including tribal factions.

Mogadishu Football Stadium, with a capacity of 60,000 seats, was built by the Chinese Government in 1978.

The stadium was occupied by the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) in 2011 after being liberated from the Al-Shabaab terrorist group. AMISOM handed over the responsibility of the stadium to the Somali Authorities in 2019.