On a warm Mogadishu night, Somali basketball made a historic return after more than 35 years with the first competitive match held at Wiish Stadium. The stadium, one of Somalia's most important sporting venues, hosted an eight-team tournament organised by the Somali Basketball Federation. Dekedda SC emerged as winners, defeating Heegan SC 80-64 in the final to win the 2026 General Daud Cup. The tournament marked a significant milestone for Somali basketball, which has been rebuilding after years of disruption.
The Somali Basketball Federation worked tirelessly to organise the tournament, which featured eight teams competing under floodlights. The event was attended by prominent officials, including Speaker of Somalia's parliament Abdulkadir Mohamed Jama, who presented the championship trophy to Dekedda SC. Also in attendance were Mohamed Abduqadir Ali, Minister of Youth and Sports, and Ambassador Mohamed Ali Nur, General Manager of Mogadishu Port. The occasion was a celebration of Somali basketball's return, with players, supporters, and officials coming together to witness a major domestic trophy being decided on the court.
The tournament was a significant step towards rebuilding a sustainable domestic competition structure in Somali basketball. According to the federation, organised domestic basketball had been largely absent for more than two years. The event also carried an international flavour, with French and Kenyan officials among the referees overseeing the competition. This international involvement is part of Somalia's efforts to return to continental and global basketball competition.
The revival of nighttime basketball in Mogadishu was driven by Abdirahman "Koshin" Abditawab, secretary general of the Somali Basketball Federation. He worked with the federation's president, officials, and wider team to turn the idea of restoring evening games into a full tournament. The event required the collaboration of various stakeholders, including clubs, referees, volunteers, security personnel, media teams, and event partners.
The tournament unfolded against a backdrop of improving security in Mogadishu, creating space for supporters to return to an evening sporting event. For a city that has spent years defined internationally by conflict and insecurity, the scene at Wiish Stadium offered a strikingly different picture: players competing for a national cup, fans watching from the stands, and basketball taking centre stage after dark.
The Somali Basketball Federation is also working to rebuild the national team, seeking to attract Somali-born players from the diaspora and expand the pool of talent available to represent the country. The federation's efforts aim to restore Somali basketball to its former glory, with the national team competing in continental and global tournaments.
The successful hosting of the 2026 General Daud Cup has raised hopes for the future of Somali basketball. With the support of officials, players, and supporters, the sport is poised to reclaim its place in the country's sporting landscape. The tournament's success is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the Somali Basketball Federation and its partners in reviving Somali basketball.
Key points
- Dekedda SC won the 2026 General Daud Cup, defeating Heegan SC 80-64 in the final.
- The tournament marked the return of competitive basketball to Wiish Stadium after more than 35 years.
- The Somali Basketball Federation is working to rebuild a sustainable domestic competition structure and attract Somali-born players from the diaspora to the national team.
