May 7 – Football in Somalia is looking forward to safer and better supported future after the Somali government installed a former player as its new minister for youth and sports.
The previous sports minister, Mohamed Barre – who is the subject of multiple accusations of human trafficking – in January 2024 while attending the Somali federation’s Inter-State tournament was involved in an incident that saw his bodyguards shoot and kill a number of football fans.
Following the killings the Somali Football Federation (SFF) discontinued the Inter-State championship, demanding for justice for the killed football fans.
Barre’s ministry role has now been taken by Mohamed Abdulkadir Ali (pictured right), who in 2014 won a district level tournament with his Hamarweyne district team before joining the Gaadiidka club which plays in the country’s premier league.
His appointment has been welcomed by the SFF and other sporting organisations in the country.
This week the new sports minister this week visited the SFF headquarters where he met with SFF president Ali Abdi Mohamed (pictured left).
“It is my pleasure to welcome the minister to SFF headquarters. His visit to our compound soon after his appointment is a clear testament to the minister’s commitment to football,” said Abdi Mohamed.
“The minister is member of the football family; he still loves playing football.
“We have a minister who understands the importance of the work we are doing. He is a footballer himself and knows the environment very well. I would like to thank Somali Prime minister for appointing such a person to lead the ministry,” concluded Abdi Mohamed.
Abdulkadir Ali committed his ministry to help develop football in Somalia, saying: “I have visited all departments at the SFF and I am fully satisfied with the huge work being done by the hard-working staffers. I appreciate their commitment to the development of the game.”
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