Somali Sports Minister lauds for football growth in the country

Somalia has put violence behind and there is a clear expectation in the country that football is fully recovering from decades of conflicts and unrest. The Somali minister for youth and sport, Mohamed Abdullahi Hassan, commended the growth of football and soccer-related development projects in the country. “In recent years, we have witnessed huge development projects implemented by the Somali Football Federation, and I take this opportunity to thank SFF for knowing their responsibilities and as well as FIFA for its continued assistance to the country,” the minister said. The minister made the comments, during an official working visit to the construction site of the Somali University Stadium at the invitation from Somali Football federation President, Abdiqani Said Arab, on 15th of August 2015. “I believe that Somali Football Federation has played a big role in football promotion in the country. The SFF had done its utmost to make sure that Somalia enjoys international stander facilities” the minister explained during a press conference at the facility which was under construction. “Football is life; I am saying this, because it brings together some key things which are basic for the human life such as: generating income, public integration, development and health” the minister explained. He said that having such world stander facilities will help Somali Football Federation produce more and more young talented footballers. Somali Football Federation president, Abdiqani Said Arab, accompanied by his deputy Ali Abdi Mohamed and secretary General, Hassan Mohamed Mohamud, said that the main purpose for the minister’s invitation to the site was to update him on the ongoing development projects. Somali Minister for youth and Sport, Mr. Mohamed Abdullahi Hassan [centre], SFF president, Abdiqani Said Arab 2nd from left, SFF senior Vice president, Ali Abdi Mohamed 2nd from right and SFF Secretary General Hassan Mohamed Mohamud [Right] walk inside the University Stadium on 15 August 2015.