CIRCULAR NO: AF/SP/20/19 August 26, 2019
Zilhajj 24, 1440
The Africa Federation Secretariat is pleased to announce the Sports Council’s biennial Sportspersons Awards. The winners for the years 2017 – 2018 are:
Br. Aliabbas Mahmood Somji of Arusha – Sportsman
&
Sis Kulsum Jabbir Manji of Arusha – Sportswoman
Three nominations for the Sportsman were received, from Arusha, Dar-es-Salaam and Nairobi Jamaats whilst only one nomination was received for the Sportswoman from Arusha Jamaat. The other Nominees for Sportsman were from Nairobi: Irfan Asif Karim and from Dar es Salaam: MohamedJawaad Fazel Kassam.
Kulsum is actively involved in sports since a young age, playing both outdoor and indoor games such as Soccer, Throw ball, Netball, Swimming, Table Tennis and Badminton with keen interest in team sports such as Soccer and Throw ball. She has participated in various community and inter-community tournaments including the AFED Ladies Sports Festival in 2014 in Dar-es-Salaam.
Aliabbas also an active sportsman plays Golf, Football, Volleyball, Rugby, and Squash, he has participated in various tournaments involving a number of sports that he is interested in. Aliabbas has followed the footsteps of his grandfather Amir Somji and father Mahmood Somji, both well-known sportsmen within and outside the community.
Somjis Strive in Sports Fraternity
Sports have become synonymous with the Somjis of Arusha for the past over 50 years. Amir bhai is an active member of Arusha Jamaat and presently is the AFED Councillor from Arusha Jamaat. While on his recent visit to Dar es Salaam, he met with the Vice Chairman of Africa Federation (AFED), Alhaj Aunali Khalfan and the Secretariat staff at AFED head office in Dar es Salaam.
Aunali bhai in a brief discussion with Amir bhai Somji asked what was the secret behind these wonderful achievements – In reply, Amir bhai said:
“A discipline in Time-Management, Food Diet and regular Physical activities (Positive and Active Lifestyle), he further commented – I keep away from this new addictive gadget – the Smartphone as we call it, it is antisocial and time consuming gadget which impacts so much our social life not realizing its negative impact which deprives personal interactions and replacing this important aspect with digital behavioral. Unfortunately, this trend is creeping rapidly into our daily lives, he said. Keeping healthy and fit is my primary objective in life; I enjoy meeting people from different backgrounds, culture, beliefs and religions. I have played several sports as a youth, and cricket was my favorite game, I now play golf regularly. When asked about the KSI community services, he stated – I have been in several committees of the Jamaat, for example in medical, education, welfare, social services and have also passionately worked in the constitution review teams of AFED and the Jamaat. He was asked about his age; he concluded – age is only a number, live your life and forget your age!”
The Shining Stars in Sports:
AFED Sports Council and the Secretariat are pleased to put on record of impressive achievements by the two grandchildren of Amir bhai Somji in sports. Aliabbas Mahmood Somji declared Sportsman for the period 2017 – 2018 and Faiza Mahmood Somji was awarded “The Sportswoman of the Year” Award in 2014.
It is a matter of great pride for the community to witness four members from the Somji family spread over three generations receive the prestigious AFED awards, a feat not many can achieve:
The Chairman of Africa Federation, Alhaj Shabir Najafi and the Office Bearers convey their best wishes and congratulate the winners, nominees and their Jamaats for these wonderful achievements in sports making us all proud. On this note, we look forward for more participations from our Jamaats in this and coming years.
Secretariat