Somalia has put violence behind and there is a clear expectation in the
country, where football is fully recovering from decades of conflicts and
unrest.

The Somali minister for youth and sport, Mohamed Abdullahi Hassan, has
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 comment, during an official working visit to the
under construction Somali University Stadium at the invitation from Somali
Football federation President, Abdiqani Said Arab, over the weekend.

“I believe that Somali Football Federation has played a big role in
football promotion in the country. The SFF has done its utmost to make
sure that Somalia enjoys international stander facilities” the minister
explained during a press conference at the under construction facility.

“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.

President Abdiqani Said Arab, asked the minister to push for the
withdrawals of African Union troops from the country’s national facility,
Stadium Mogadishu, a request that the minister fully lauded, promising
that his ministry will work harder to get the facility back into the hands
of the people.

During the official tour to the site, the minister and SFF officials have
listened to reports by experts from the consultant company, TALOSAN and
the construction company EMECO, who told them that the two projects at the
site have been completed by 70% and the rest will be completed before the
end of the year.

Collins Okinyo

Ex- CAF Media Expert. An expert on African football with over 15 years experience ,always with an ear to the ground with indepth knowledge of the game. I have worked for top publications including 7 years at www.supersport.com until i founded www.soka25east.com to quench the thirst of football lovers across the continent. I have trained young upcoming journalists who are now a voice in African football.I have covered World Cup,AFCON,CHAN,Champions League,Confederations Cup,Cecafa,Cosafa,Wafu and many other football tournaments across the World. Founder Football Africa Arena(FAA),Founder www.afrisportdigital.com