U-17 soccer tourney creation, a crucial step forward

The launch of the U-17 football tournament in Somalia is a very positive step taken towards the right direction and it is part of the Somali Football Federation’s youth development programs.

“The main objective for the inauguration of this tournament is to get the 14-16 year olds in the country into a formal football league organized for them annually. It also gives the National league clubs the opportunity to produce young talented boys to prepare them for their National league

matches in the years to come” Somali FA president, Abdiqani Said Arab, said. The president added that coaches from the SFF technical department were tasked to hunt young talented players from the competition to get them into the future national junior teams.

The SFF had drawn long term training programs for more than 50 young boys who were short-listed during the tournament. This was the first time that such a formal football tournament was organized for youths belonging to the local clubs.

Such program will be held every year as shown in the SFF strategic plans.

The competition which continued from 25 September to 16 October 2015, gathered 8 youthful clubs representing: Banadir Sports Club, Dekedda FC, Elman FC, Gaadiidka FC, Heegan FC, Horseed Sports Club, Jeenyo FC and Sahafi FC.

The competition was won by the Somali police side Heegan after beating Elman FC opponents 5-4 in penalties.