Hiiraan Online
Monday, July 11, 2016
Ottawa (HOL) - The Surad Youth Soccer Clubs U15 team were crowned winners of the 2016 Ottawa Gloucester International Soccer Tournament (GIST) & Festival held at Hornets Nest Soccer Park.
Surad U15 defeated the heavily favoured Gloucester Hornets 2-1 in the final to win the tournament. This is the first major outdoor tournament win for the team since its founding in 2012.
The U15 team has been on the rise in local soccer with a number of surprising wins. Earlier this year the same youth team won the Coliseum indoor tournament in Ottawa defeating West Ottawa Soccer Club en route to their first tournament win.
Surad soccer parents thanked the coaches, Ahmed Hassan (Kayse), Abdirizak Mohamud (Shiino), Said Arwo, Taha Sameer and Mohamud Hassan, all of whom are volunteers for their commitment that lead to their teams success.
The community also recognized the achievements of the Surad Youth Soccer Club. In March 2016, CHEO awarded the club the 'Healthy Kids Award' for encouraging youth involvement in sports.
The name of Surad came from the highest mountain in Somalia located in the Sanaag region close to the city of Ergabo. A fitting name for a team that is constantly overcoming challenges and succeeding.