Somali Football Federation | Activity Magazine
A SUCCESSFUL FIFA GRASSROOTS PROGRAM IN SOMALIA
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omali Football Federation in collaboration with the world football’s governing body [FIFA] has on 14th of December 2016 concluded a 5-day grassroots program which was the second of its kind to be held in the country. The course was attended by 21 coaches who were taught lessons about how to educate children through football and make them love the game. The course was conducted by FIFA instructor, Ulric Mathiot [Seychelles] assisted by local instructors. In his address at the closing ceremony on, Mr. Mathiot said he witnessed a lot of football progress in Somalia. From my experience when I first arrived in Somalia in 2013, I can see that Somalia football is going up. I would like to acknowledge that Somalia is doing a greater work to develop its football and I am happy with that great
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approach” the FIFA instructor said. He continued to say “I saw a team work and that is good for football development. I always see people working together and togetherness we reach our goals. Course participants were very determined and in the end I am very happy that they know what exactly grassroots is and they are now ready to pass their knowledge to Somali children”. “Somalia is doing a lot of progress and on behalf of FIFA I would like to announce that FIFA is committed to developing football in your country” he said adding he was very pleased to be back in Somalia for the second time in three months. The FIFA instructor said he was fully pleased with how the media in Somalia are committed to playing their role in the promotion of the game in their country. “I did conduct such courses in many countries and
Somali Football Federation | Activity Magazine
I have never seen such big crowd of media representatives. I would like to thank the media for their role” he noted. Somali football federation senior vice president, Ali Abdi Mohamed urged course participants to exercise what they learned from the course and try to get so many children into football as much as they can. “It is easier for people to learn everything while they are very young than after they have grown up and that is why the grassroots program is very useful for football development” the senior vice president said before handing over the microphone to Somali FA president, Abdiqani Said Arab. The president first thanked FIFA for giving Somalia the fourth opportunity in 2016 during which four different football development courses were held in the country.
