An indoor football championship for the cup of Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Moscow Oblast (SAMMO) was held in Moscow region. The event was organized by SAMMO and local religious organization of Orekhovo-Zuyevo. This year, championship saw fifteen contender teams from the cities of Zvenigorod, Kolomna, Khimki, Orekhovo-Zuyevo, Podolsk, Sergiyev Posad, Noginsk, Elektrostal, Pushkino, Staraya Kupavna, Lyubertsy, Korolyov, Pavlovsky Posad, Elektrogorsk and Shchyolkovo. The honoured guest for the event was legendary footballer Rinat Dasayev.

In accordance with tradition, championship began with recitation of ayas from the Holy Qur’an by imam khatyb of Orekhovo-Zuyevo Muslim community Damir Bulatov.

The opening speech was made by the head of Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Moscow Oblast, member of the Civic Chamber of Moscow Oblast Rushan hazrat Abbyasov. He emphasized the fact that the number of teams contending for the cup increases with each coming year, and wished luck to the contestants.

“We are glad to see that local Muslim communities take active part in SAMMO and pay due attention to the youth, encouraging healthy lifestyle and promoting sport among the younger generation. According to ahadith, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) told that sporting activity is an approved and encouraged deed in Islam”, – said the head of Moscow region Muslims.

Ildar Izmailov, leader of Orekhovo-Zuyevo Muslim community, took his turn to welcome all the participants of the tournament and to wish them luck in the contest.

The games were played according to the play-off rules. At the end of the tournament, three best Muslim teams of Moscow region were announced by the jury. Kolomna team placed first, second place was taken by a team from Podolsk, while the team from Zvenigorod placed third. It’s worth mentioning that the team from Kolomna took the prize for the third time in a row.

At the end of the contest, legendary Russian footballer Rinat Dasayev and the head of Muslims of Moscow Oblast Rushan hazrat Abbyasov handed out cups, medals and diplomas to the winners and all other participants.

After the awards ceremony, honoured guests and team members gathered in the mosque of Orekhovo-Zuyevo for a collective prayer and a dinner to discuss forthcoming sporting events organized by SAMMO.

Source: SAMMO media office