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CAF praises Somali FA media Officer for hardworking XXXX

Nicholas Musonye Somalia made a good decision to elect Abdiqani Arab as FA President XXXX

African soccer media officers trained at historic CAF Media seminar in Cameroon XXXX

Participation of international professionals ‘sweetens’ Somali league. XXXX

SFF magazine shown at CAF seminar for media officers XXXX

Regional football committee offices equipped

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SFF activity report magazine exhibited in London

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Abdiqani’s election comes in the right time, says Former SFF vice President XXXX

SFF Annual congress approves major moves forward in 2013 XXXX

Banadir rewrites history to win Somali league ‘unbeaten’ XXXX

Somali Govt praises FIFA for keeping football alive in the country XXXX

Banadir Sports Club receive top award as 2014 football season comes to close XXXX

Somali match Commissioners avail from CAF seminar XXXX

CAF President offers warm congratulations to the new Somali FA chief 15

Somali PM promotion of football culture marks the recovery of Somalia XXXX

CECAFA joins Somalia in mourning the death of Legend Shangole 15

Somalia at 64th FIFA Congress

CECAFA Vice President salutes the president elected of Somali FA XXXX COMSED receives football equipment

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Deep sense of loss both in Somalia and the world of football as an iconic soccer captain dies XXXX Djibouti FA president felicitates Somali Football’s new chief XXXX El Shenawi Dreams have come true and Somalia is emerging from all problems XXXX FIFA expert El Shenawi happy with the experience of local Somali instructor XXXX FIFA extends condolence to Somalia following the death of Legend Shangole XXXX

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Somalia attends at 2014 world cup analysing conference XXXX Somalia earns FIFA praise for media work

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Somali FA donates cash to its division B and C clubs XXXX UN joins Somali FA to encourage peace through football XXXX Unprecedented show of support for new Somalia football boss and hopes for bright future XXXX Women’s football promotion will be one of My key priorities, says Somali FA Boss XXXX Young age Somalis appear amongst FIFA int’l referees 2014 list XXXX Young football writers awarded for their work

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FIFA president sends congratulatory message to the new Somali FA Chief XXXX

Somalia, a new favourite destination for foreign players: Says SFF Media Officer XXXX

First phase of New CAF Programming Referees initiative ends in Somalia XXXX

Somali coaches provided with CAF licence ‘C’ Certificates XXXX

Football federations in Cecafa zone told by Fifa to get their media fully in action XXXX

A decade later Banadir Sports Club regains Somali league title XXXX

Football’s peace initiative in Somalia Mentioned in FIFA international day of sport development for peace celebration XXXX

CAF Mourns for the passing of Somalian Legend XXXX

Former Ocean stars member receives XXXX National level welcome Former Somali FA president welcomes election result XXXX

Emerged from the ashes, Jeenyo United makes two major approaches in 2014 XXXX Dreams come true, as Somalia expands its football league XXXX

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Over 300 players shortlisted from inter-schools tournament XXXX

Historic move, as first FIFA refereeing course held in Somalia in decades XXXX

SFF hails the election of local football committee in Southern Jubba Region XXXX

Long-serving Secretary General elected Somali FA Boss XXXX

SFF presents soccer equipment to Lower Jubba region’s football committee XXXX

Musonye terms the Distribution of SFF magazine in UK is a ‘good marketing’ step XXXX

UAFA president vows greater cooperation with Somalia XXXX

Hamar Weyne boys win 2014 youth tourney

SOMALI FOOTBALL FEDERATION | SOCCER MAGAZINE

PRESIDENT’S VISION 2015-2018

MUSONYE: SOMALIA MADE A GOOD DECISION TO ELECT ABDIQANI ARAB AS FA PRESIDENT

oday, Somali Football emerging from the difficult years between 1992--2010, the SFF president’s vision for 2015-2018 will target some key football development sectors throughout the country. The broadened strategy plan is included to weigh on four major development initiatives under our ‘spread the football’ program, as part of realizing our long-existed dreams. The development programs have been placed in categories and one should be implemented after the other until the last one is successfully confirmed, with the support from FIFA.

Step one: As shown in SFF annual plans regional football development programs will go in step one in a bid to increase football involvement in entire regions of Somalia. Steps two and three: Women’s football development will be step two, followed by Grassroots and youth development projects as step three. In this endeavor, we will target boys and girls at schools to educate them through football.

[CECAFA], the council of East and Central Africa Football Associations, said that the election of Abdiqani Said Arab as the football Federation president of Somalia was a very good determination, praising the Somali Football stakeholders for their constructive decision making.

We have already developed good cooperative relations with the education sector to include football lessons into the school curriculum in Somalia and plans about this are ongoing well.

Abdi Qani Said Arab President, Somali Football Federation

Step four: The fourth major initiative is to get enough football facilities for the country. The FIFA-funded construction of Stadium Banadir was now over, while another facility is currently under construction with the assistance from FIFA as well. My vision, in my capacity as the president of Somali Football federation, is to implement these above-mentioned initiatives and other development programs exactly as planned in our annual worksheets throughout the next four years.

The secretary General of the regional Africa football governing body Mr. Nicholas Musonye made the announcement in an interview with Football Journalist Mohamed Abdi Mudey. The interview was conducted as follows:

Abdiqani Said Arab has the knowledge and the capacity to lead Somali Football

president and the people of Somalia as well.

Q: Mr. Nicholas Musonye, what is your general view about the election of Somali Football federation which brought a new president Abdiqani Arab into power?

Q: Do you think that Abdiqani Said Arab will lead Somali Football into more development in both locally and internationally in the years to come?

A: Thank you very much my brother in Somalia, I want to take this opportunity to congratulate the congress of Somali Football Association for the peaceful elections and even electing Abdiqani Said Arab as the New President of the Federation, I have known Mr. Abdiqani for the last 24 years, as a hardworking person and honest and I believe he is experienced person who has been in the football administration for a very long time.

A: Obviously, he has the knowledge and the capacity to lead Somali Football in the next four years and after and it is very sure that more success will be gained under his leadership.

A: I would like that the new leadership of Somali FA to work with the government on a way they can use the facility and if possible to relocate the AMISOM soldiers from the stadium.

He is also member of CECAFE executive committee working with us. I believe that the Somali people and the congress made a very good decision to get him as the football federation president; I congratulate the new

Q: As you know Somalia has a historic football facility, the stadium Mogadishu which has been destroyed during civil wars and currently based by AU troops, what is your reaction about that?

Interviewed by Football journalist Mohamed Abdi Mudey

SOMALI FOOTBALL FEDERATION | SOCCER MAGAZINE

CAF PRAISES SOMALI FA MEDIA OFFICER FOR HARDWORKING

Mr. Gerard Dreyfus of CAF Media Shaking hands with Somali FA Media Officer Shafi’i Mohyaddin Abokar

omali FA media officer Shafi’i Mohyaddin Abokar (ISLOW) gained CAF praise for hardworking and commitment to his role within the federation, during the first ever CAF seminar for African soccer media officers held in Cameroon indecember 2014. Mr. Gerard Dreyfus, the editor of the French version of CAF website said in his address at the seminar that football’s governing body of Africa was appreciating and fully pleased with the activeness and hardworking of Somali Football Federation Media officer Shafi’i Mohyaddin. “I congratulate you on the fantastic work you have been doing in Somalia, because you work in a very difficult situation and you always keep us updated on a daily basis CAF really appreciates your work” Mr. Dreyfus said directing his speech to SFF media officer. “Everyone at CAF knows what is happening in Somalia and how football is promoting in your country and CAF officials believe that you are the most hardworking media officer” Mr. Dreyfus explained. Mr. Gerard Dreyfus, insisted that he decided to talk more about Somalia, because he knows about the positive

AFRICAN SOCCER MEDIA OFFICERS TRAINED AT HISTORIC CAF MEDIA SEMINAR IN CAMEROON

images CAF always received from Somalia despite hard circumstances Somali FA has been experiencing adding that CAF was more than enough happy with the Somali FA media officer’s work. “I have been working for CAF for a long time and according to my experience at CAF the Somali FA media officer deserves to be praised for his commitment and dedication” he continued. On the inaugural day of the seminar, the director of CAF Media Mr. Junior Binyam said in his address that Somali FA Media department was praiseworthy for keeping the continental body updated on the developments under way in Somalia. “How football is active in Somalia can be a sign for the power of football and how it promotes in certain situations” said CAF Media director Mr. Junior Binyam adding that Somali FA has its own website regularly updated with the latest much results and standings available on the site. During the FIFA-CECAFA seminar in Dar Es Salaam on the 2nd of May 2014, Somalia attracted such praise for media work from FIFA when FIFA Media relations manager Segolene Valentin said that FIFA was appreciating the fantastic work by Somali FA Media department.

he organization of the beautiful event had marked an unprecedented exercise in the 57 year-old history of the Confederation of African Football {CAF}. The seminar which ran 8-11 December and was held at the CAF centre of excellence in Mbankomo just outside the Cameroonian capital Yaounde, has opened a new window of friendship and cooperation for football media officers from across the continent. During the 4-day seminar, deputy chief of FIFA communications department, Hans Hultman made a lecture on the general principles of organizational communication, internal and external communication, press relations, media operations and adopting the principles to sport organizations.

Mr. Gerard Dreyfus who has more than 40 years of experience in covering African football and currently serves as the editor of the French version of CAF website, delivered lectures on general principles of journalistic writing, reporting, interviews, and documentary sources of African Football and coverage of sporting events. Among other main resource people of the seminar were: Amr Elsadek who illuminated the media officers on how they will update their respective associations’ pages of the CAF website, CAF media director Junior Binyam who made a presentation on CAF competitions (periodicity, form, organization) and CAF 2015 Calendar, while Clementine Girard taught the participants more about the CAF digital media, how it was beneficial to affiliate associations and the role it can play in sponsorship and marketing.

In his closing remarks, CAF media committee chairman, Anjoring Moucharaf Ayodele, said that the seminar was part of the new vision of CAF president Isse Hayatou towards development of African football. “You are the pioneers of the new vision and I put much more responsibility on you to report from football events in your respective countries---CAF is committed to empowering you and I affirm that this will not be the last seminar as more others will come” Mr. Anjoring Moucharaf Ayodele told the media officers in his closing speech. Because of the fantastic work done by its media department, Somalia dominated the event which was the first of its kind ever organized by CAF for media officers from member states.

SOMALI FOOTBALL FEDERATION | SOCCER MAGAZINE

SFF MAGAZINE SHOWN AT CAF SEMINAR FOR MEDIA OFFICERS

ABDIQANI’S ELECTION COMES IN THE RIGHT TIME, SAYS FORMER SFF VICE PRESIDENT

he league title holders of Somalia’s Nation Link Telecom championship, Banadir Sports Club had rewritten an age-old history for winning the country’s most populous sporting event ‘unbeaten’ Former Somali National football squad Member and the country’s still ‘a live’ most renowned sports veteran Haji Mohamed Ahmed Olow told SFF soccer magazine that it was more than half a century ago when the last Somali football club won the country’s division A league with the an ‘unbeaten’ record.

former high profile Somali Football Federation official Abdulkader Mohamud Abdulle popularly known as (Cabdi Cadde) vehemently lauded for the election of Mr. Abdiqani Said Arab as the president of Somali Football Federation terming him a ‘good leader’ and even creative.

“In Somalia’s football history Gaadiidka which previously known as ‘Autobarca’ was the first club who won the league title ‘unbeaten’ and that was in 1956 and since then they have been the record holders until after Banadir Sports club did the same record in 2014” Haji Olow said.

In an emailed press statement, the former Somali FA vice president said that Mr. Arab’s election as the new SFF Boss was the right step forward which coincided with the right time. “I would like to send a message of goodwill and congratulations to the new president Abdiqani Said Arab and his executive committee members—all I know about Mr. Arab is that he is a young and active man with a creative mind and professional leadership” said the former Somali FA vice president Mr. Abdulkader Mohamud Abdulle. “Abdiqani and I had worked together and I know the kind of man he is and I believe that with his election as the SFF president, the Somali Football will have stepped into a greater development” the former vice president explained in his emailed press statement.

CAF Media Director Mr. Junior Binyam receives copies of the Magazine from SFF Media officer Shafi’i Mohyaddin

he activity report magazine of Somali Football Federation was displayed at the conclusion of education seminar for media officers from CAFmember nations at CAF centre for excellence in Mbankomo, Cameroon on 12 December 2014. CAF media director Mr. Junior Binyam received copies of the SFF magazine from Somali Football’s media officer Shafi’i Mohyaddin Abokar (ISLOW) during the conclusion ceremony of the seminar. With this action, Somalia became the first and the sole country to table such magazine at CAF’s first

ever seminar for African football media officers. The displaying of the magazine had attracted much welcome and appreciation from CAF officials and several participants at the event who congratulated the Somali FA media officer for coming with a clear and tangible activity record. “This is really beautiful magazine and it contains much information and images of what has been achieved in Somalia so far and I am happy to see it” said CAF media committee chairman, Mr Anjoring Moucharaf Ayodele, as he was receiving a copy of the SFF magazine.

Mr. Abdulle who served as Somali Football Federation Vice president in the period (2001-2005) pledged that he will closely work with the new SFF leadership and will contribute his experience to help develop homeland’s football.

He explained that Gaadiidka won the league in three successive years: 1955, 1956 and 1957 and finally they won in 1990 before the country fell into anarchy.

HAJI OLOW: BANADIR REWRITES HISTORY TO WIN SOMALI LEAGUE ‘UNBEATEN’

The former Ocean starts playmaker Haji Mohamed Ahmed Olow who retired in 1970 said that Banadir Sports Club must have been recognized as ‘history rewriters’ of Somalia’s most populous sporting competition, the SFF nation Link Telecom championship. Meanwhile, the chairman of Banadir sports club Abukar Mohamed Sheik said he was very happy that his team made a giant history in Somali football for the first time in more than half a century. “I am really very proud that we have made a remarkable history which coincides with my first year I am leading the club as its chairman, it is impossible that you approach such victory in football without investment, so I would like to thank all those who have invested in the club” Mr. Abukar Mohamed Sheik said.

BANADIR SPORTS CLUB RECEIVE TOP AWARD AS 2014 FOOTBALL SEASON COMES TO CLOSE

he current champions, Banadir Sports Club were awarded Nation Link Telecom championship title during a colourful ceremony to mark on the conclusion of the 2013-2014 football Season in Somalia. Division ‘B’ [Sahafi FC ] and Division ‘C’ [Singjet FC ] champions were also given their awards in the ceremony held at Holiday Hotel in the capital on the 23rd of June 2014. A number of high level Government and sporting officials,

businessmen, club authorities, legends and key football players attended. Somalia Football Federation [SFF] Secretary General Abdiqani Said Arab who first addressed the gathering said that Division ‘B’ and ‘C’ competitions took place between April-October 2013 while the Nation Link Telecom Championship, the most popular sporting event in the country, was from November 2013 to April 2014. “On behalf of SFF I would like to thank Nation Link Telecom for their commitment to supporting football in the country. The SFF/Nation Link Telecom co-operation dates back to 2008 when the company started to help finance local football activities.” He said the company did not confine its assistance to financing the league, but also sponsored the closing ceremony which was held at one of the most beautiful sites in the country. Former Ocean Stars [Somalia national team] playmaker and current Somalia National Olympic Committee [SOMNOC] executive committee member Haji Mohamed Ahmed Olow lauded the continuation of football development programmes in the country. The Director General of the Ministry for Youth and Sports Saa’ed Ahmed Baariyow said that the Somali Government was seeing a better future of football and that his Ministry had high hopes for the game. Nation Link Telecom General Manager Ahmed Abdi Diini said that his company was happy to develop long-lasting co-operations with Somali Football Federation. “On behalf of Nation Link Telecom I pledge to continue assisting Somalia Football Federation. This time we helped the Division ‘A’ league, but I am hopeful we will increase our involvement in football development programs in the country,” Diini added. Somalia Football Federation President, Ali Said Guled Roble concluded the event by thanking both local and international media for putting Somali football activities before an international audience.

CAF PRESIDENT OFFERS WARM CONGRATULATIONS TO THE NEW SOMALI FA CHIEF

he President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Mr. Issa Hayatou wrote a letter of excitement and warmest congratulations to Somali Football Federation president Abdiqani Said Arab, saying that the African football will also benefit from Abdiqani’s experience and pledged the continental football body’s support for him. “It is with great joy and excitement that I learned about your election as the president of Somali Football Federation following elections held in Somalia” CAF president said in his letter which the SFF received with huge joy. On behalf of the CAF executive committee and the entire African Football Family Mr. Hayatou offered the SFF president the warmest congratulations for his election as

president of Somali FA, providing the perfect avenue to steer national football to new heights. “Despite the extremely difficult challenges facing Somalia today, CAF is indeed confident that your experience as Secretary General of SFF and as member of CAF standing committees will benefit not only Somalia football but also African football as a whole. We look forward to cement our partnership and exchanges in order to benefit the youth of our beloved continent” President Issa Hayatou said in his letter. “We wish you a very successful tenure in your position and rest assured that you can count on the support of the confederation of African Football to achieve a very successful mission” CAF president said in his congratulatory letter.

CECAFA JOINS SOMALIA IN MOURNING THE DEATH OF LEGEND SHANGOLE

CECAFA VICE PRESIDENT SALUTES THE PRESIDENT ELECTED OF SOMALI FA

COMSED RECEIVES FOOTBALL EQUIPMENT

s Somalia feels an enormous sense of sorrow and painful experience over the death of the country’s first recorded national team captain Mohamed Qalaf Aden Shangole, the council of east and Central Africa football Associations (CECAFA) itself mourns for the loss of the great football personality in the region. “I join my brothers and sisters in Somalia in mourning the death of Aden

s messages of congratulations from around the world of football poured into the Somali Football Federation office to felicitate the new SFF president Abdiqani Said Arab on his election as the president of SFF, the vice president of CECAFA, Mr. Lawrence Mulindwa wrote to the president to show support for him. In his letter, Mr. Mulindwa said “Brother Abdi Qani, your election to the office of the President of Somalia Football Federation [SFF] has been received with excitement within the CECAFA region and Uganda in particular”

The late Shangole (Right) converses with Somali Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheik Ahmed during the General Da’ud cup final 16th of May 2014

Shangole, the icon of Somalia Football. CECAFA have received this sad news and I wish to convey our sincere condolences to the family and the entire football fraternity of Somalia” CECAFA secretary General Nicholas Musonye said in a condolence message. Mr. Musonye became the first high profile sporting leader to share the sadness with the entire people of Somalia. He sent his message to Somali football Federation hours after the sad news was announced at the SFF headquarters. “The Chairman of CECAFA and I share with the close family and friends of Shangole the pain of losing a close member of a family. The long serving skipper of Somalia national team was a good team player, leader and father-figure of Somalia football” he noted. “We commend the SFF leadership of keeping in close contact with all men and women who had contributed immensely to the survival and growth of Somalia football over the years, despite the many difficulties” CECAFA Secretary General Nicholas Musonye explained. “Kindly convey our sincere condolences to the family of Shangole” Mr. Nicholas Musonye continued to say in his condolence message to Somalia.

“I therefore wish to congratulate you and the entire football family in Somalia upon conducting a very democratic and peaceful election that saw you sailing through unopposed” Mr. Mulindwa said in his congratulatory letter. He continued to say “Your long time acquired expertise in football administration will automatically benefit the Somalis and help narrow the competition gap that has always existed between Somalia and other CECAFA member countries” The CECAFA Vice president said that Somalia has the football talent and hoped that under the leadership of President Abdiqani, Somalia’s performance at both regional and continental levels expected to improve. “My office will extend to you the possible assistance in your endeavours to turn Somalia into a great footballing nation. I once again congratulate you and please convey the same message to your executive and the entire Somali population” CECAFA vice president Lawrence Mulindwa concluded in his message.

n a moral boost move, the Galkayo-based COMSED football team received football equipment during an honour dinner organized for them by Mogadishu Sea port manager Abdullahi Ali Nur at the Lido Sea Food restaurant in the beach resort of Mogadishu on 17th of February 2014.

was part of the ongoing football development programs in Somalia. The entire football-loving Somalis from across the country and elsewhere in the world sent us messages of goodwill and support” the COMSED football team chairman Abdi Qani Khalif Arabey told the ceremony.

Somali Football Federation authorities, division A club chairmen, coaches and key members from the National team also attended the dinner ceremony for the COMSED team whose arrival in Mogadishu was part of the efforts to pave the way for the country’s ever regional level leagues.

“We came from a part of Somalia, namely the Puntland state of Somalia and we are in another part of Somalia---we have been invited by our Somali Football Federation and we experienced very cheerful days in staying amongst our people here in the capital” Mr Arabey noted.

The COMSED football team chairman Abdi Qani Khalif Arabey told the ceremony that he was very happy with the high level reception his delegation received in Mogadishu from the very beginning of their arrival in the capital. “We are feeling brotherhood, friendship and being highly respected, our travel to Mogadishu

Somali Football Federation Secretary General Abdi Qani Said Arab started his speech with thanks and gratefulness to the founder and the financer of COMSED football team Dr. Abdulkader Mahmoud Jama known as ‘Dr. Dhaga Adde who had spent much money, time and energy in the promotion of Somali Football so far. “Dr. Dhaga Adde is a medical professional, but he also played a SOMALI FOOTBALL FEDERATION | SOCCER MAGAZINE

DJIBOUTI FA PRESIDENT FELICITATES SOMALI FOOTBALL’S NEW CHIEF

EL SHENAWI DREAMS HAVE COME TRUE AND SOMALIA IS EMERGING FROM ALL PROBLEMS

he President of Djibouti Football Federation Mr. Souleiman Hassan Waberi has felicitated the president elected of Somali Football Federation Abdiqani Said Arab on his election as the chief of Somalia’s football governing body.

key role in football, and what I can tell about him is that he was always fully dedicated to assisting his people in different ways, as he gave scores of young boys the opportunity to become football players to prevent them from falling into the hands of notorious criminals and warmongers in the country” Somali Football federation Secretary General Abdi Qani Said Arab told the dinner ceremony. Mr. Arab said that COMSED was a pioneer and even a good example for the preparations of the country’s first ever regional level football leagues to be organized in the near future. On the behalf of Somali FA the secretary General urged the country’s division A football clubs namely Elman FC and Dekedda FC to travel to Galkayo in return for the COMSED arrival in capital, as they were the two clubs who had friendly matches against COMSED. Mogadishu Sea Port manager Abdullahi Ali Nur told the ceremony that his club and COMSED share years-existed relations promising that his club will increase its co-operation with COMSED which is the sole football team in their region. Other Key officials who addressed at the ceremony include: Elman FC deputy chairperson Abdulahi Gure and Dekeda FC Secretary General Abdullahi Nur Bashir.

In his congratulatory letter the Djibouti FA chief saluted his longtime colleague and the elected president of Somali Football Federation Mr Abdiqani Said Arab and congratulated him on the occasion of his election during the general assembly held in the capital on 31st of August 2014. “I am convinced that your knowledge and experience will have a significant impact of football development in Somalia” president Souleiman said in his letter wishing the new Somali FA boss good luck, courage and success in all endeavours toward football promotion in Somalia. Prior to the letter, Mr Souleiman Hassan Waberi had a brief telephone conversation with the president elected of Somali Football Federation to pass onto him a message of greetings from the entire Djibouti’s football family members.

FIFA refereeing development officer Ahmed El Shenawi said that after a long wait, all dreams have come true for Somali football Federation, as the last FIFA level refereeing course held in the country dates back to the late 1980s. “I would like to say that you and me know each other very well, because it is not my first time to meet you, but it is the first time that I conduct Somalia course here in the capital Mogadishu—this is a historic and giant moment for both you and me” FIFA expert Ahmed El Shenawi said as he addressed at the launch ceremony of the FIFA MA refereeing course for Somalia on 20th of April 2014. Mr. Ahmed El Shenawi said that such great day was totally different from the past, because he said the historic course took place in Somalia, while previous courses were held abroad. “We met three times in Djibouti before and as you know each time we asked Allah to make next course in Mogadishu and now

that we are here today Allah had accepted our prayers and all dreams came true and we thank Allah for making that approach possible” Ahmed El Shenawi noted. He said that conducting the course in Mogadishu was the right step forward and it came in the right time. “Doing the course in Mogadishu, I think Somalia has emerged from all problems” the FIFA expert accentuated. “I would like to tell you that the main goal for FIFA is to spread football throughout the world, because FIFA is working for the game and for the world too” El Shenawi noted adding that the world football body serves for the biggest country and the smallest country in the same way. “There is a wisdom from FIFA which says, If you do FIFA does, which means whatever you want FIFA will help you, so on behalf of FIFA I can tell you that FIFA is ready to help you promote football in your country” expressed Mr. El Shenawi who hoped good time and more successful future for Somalia.

SOMALI FOOTBALL FEDERATION | SOCCER MAGAZINE

DEEP SENSE OF LOSS BOTH IN SOMALIA AND THE WORLD OF FOOTBALL AS AN ICONIC SOCCER CAPTAIN DIES Call of duty: Mohamed Qalaf Aden Shangole makes a ceremonial kick-off to inter-schools football tournament on 3rd of May 2014, several weeks before his passing

HE footballer regarded as Somalia’s first ever national football team captain, Mohamed Qalaf Aden Shangole, died in Mogadishu on Tuesday morning 8th of July 2014 and there was an overwhelming feeling of loss throughout the entire country. The national hero was laid to rest at the Moalim Nur Cemetery followed by a three-day of national mourning observed by the Somalis inside the country and elsewhere in the world after the Somali Football Federation made the announcement of the national mourning. Even at his advanced age, the late Shangole was still serving as an advisor to the President of SFF. He was taken ill for a short period before passing away.

Recorded details indicate that in 1949 Shangole was the captain of the football team of the “Lega Dei Giovani Somali”, the youth group in the country.

first soccer

The first recorded national football team of Somalia, in 1956 was captained by Shangole. One of his most glorious moments was leading the team in that year during the opening of the iconic Banadir Stadium in Mogadishu. Somalia Football Federation Secretary General Abdi Qani Said Arab added that Somalia would greatly miss one of the founders of the country’s football federation, “a man whose legacy will always be remembered amongst the people of Somalia,” Said Arab said.

The burial service attracted high profile officials from SFF, and the National Olympic Committee of Somalia [NOCSOM] executive committee members Haji Mohamed Ahmed Olow and Ibrahim Hussein Ali “Roombe”. Somali National football team playmaker in 1960s and current NOCSOM executive committee member Haji Mohamed Ahmed Olow told the burial service that the late Shangole was a never-tobe-forgotten key pillar in the history of Somali football.

FIFA EXTENDS CONDOLENCE TO SOMALIA FOLLOWING THE DEATH OF LEGEND SHANGOLE

“I first met him in 1948, I was young boy but the late Shangole was a key footballer in the country which was under the colonial era by the time; I really remember the good days I had taken with Shangole who always liked to help young boys join the field of football,” Olow told the funeral service.

The late Shangole was a key footballer in the country which was under the colonial era. “The late Shangole was an old man, but his experience and consultancy were always very helpful to us. His death robs us a great football volunteer,” said the SFF Secretary General Said Arab said. The SFF president Ali Said Guled Roble said Shangole’s passing away would mean that a tremendous pillar in the history of Somali football had collapsed. The SFF President became the first person to sign the book of condolence ahead of several hundred football fans and volunteers.

he president of the world’s football governing body (FIFA) Mr. Joseph S. Blatter wrote to Somali Football Federation President Ali Said Guled Roble to deliver his condolence to the entire Somali people and in particularly to the football family of Somalia over the loss of the Ocean Stars’ first ever captain Mohamed Qalaf Aden Shangole. The Legend died at Mogadishu hospital on July 8 2014 after several days of illness. “It is with profound sadness that I write to you today, having learned of the passing of Somali Football Legend Mohamed Qalaf Aden Shangole, Somalia’s first national team captain and a leading football figure

in your country” President Blatter said in his condolence letter. “On behalf of FIFA and the international football community, I wish to extend our deepest condolence to Mr. Shangole’s family, friends and loved ones” the condolence letter continued. “Please let them know that we stand by their side and wish them strength at this difficult time. We hope that in some way, our words of support may help bring a little bit of peace and solace in this time of sadness” FIFA President Joseph S Blatter said in his message sent to Somali Football Federation president through the SFF media department.

SOMALI FOOTBALL FEDERATION | SOCCER MAGAZINE

FIFA EXPERT EL SHENAWI HAPPY WITH THE EXPERIENCE OF LOCAL SOMALI INSTRUCTOR

t the end of his work trip to Somalia, on Friday 25th of April 2014, the FIFA refereeing instructor and RDO officer Ahmed El Shenawi spoke about his experience in Somalia and in particularly the progress made by the Somali Football Federation. Mr. El Shenawi said he was fully satisfied with the knowledge and experience of local instructor and former international

referee Abdi Abdulle Ahmed who did the fitness training sessions during the course In an interview with SFF Magazine, Mr El Shenawi also explained about how he found Somalia, the difference between what he experienced and what he believed about Somalia before arriving here.

“Several times we did such course in Djibouti and to my experience we had only 5% of the trainees pass in fitness tests, but now I am very happy that I have witnessed them pass 100%--it is not me who did that job, but I would like to praise instructor Abdi Abdulle Ahmed who is to be attributed to that major approach of

success” expert Ahmed El Shenawi told in his interview with the SFF Magazine.

culminate in a higher development in football” FIFA expert Ahmed EL Shenawi noted during the interview.

able to officiate FIFA world cup matches in the years to come—I am saying this because of what I have witnessed” the expert explained.

He said that local fitness instructor and former international football referees Abdi Abdulle Ahmed (Baasaale) who did the fitness lessons was well experienced and had played his role professionally adding

he was very sure that now Somalia has at least one fitness instructor who can do such international level even. “Generally I was satisfied with the referees’ class attendance and their participation of fitness sessions and I can say that Somalia was on the way to

“I always heard in the news that Somalia was ‘no go area’ but when I came and toured around many beautiful sites including the Lido Beach resort of Mogadishu, I really found out that Somalia was nicer than I expected and I had enjoyed the beautiful weather” FIFA expert Ahmed El Shenawi said. He went on to say that he met many football volunteers who received him with good behaviour and extended high profile hospitality to him during his stay in the country.

Changes made by the refereeing department

Somalia and world cup officiating hopes.

Speaking about the progress made by the Somali Football federation refereeing development department, Mr Ahmed El Shenawi said that Somali referees completely changed in terms of physical structures, endurance and as well as experience.

After decades of setbacks caused by lawlessness in the country, FIFA refereeing expert Ahmed El Shenawi hoped that Somalia will soon have its international referees to officiate big events like FIFA world cup. “The correct time has now arrived and Somalia have the correct people, so I am hopeful that Somali soccer referees will be

History rewrites back. Somalia had its last FIFA level refereeing course organized in the country more than 25 years ago and it was conducted by Mustafa Kamil of Egypt and for that reason Ahmed El Shenawi believes that his arrival in the country had rewritten a past history. “Before the collapse of Somalia, the last FIFA expert to conduct a refereeing

course in Somalia was Mustafa Kamil (Egypt) and fortunately more than 25 years later, it is me another Egyptian who arrived here for the same event to reopen the door for the arrivals of more FIFA refereeing experts in the country” El Shenawi said. “In fact, the history had rewritten with my arrival here—it is a unique success for both Mustafa Kamil and me” FIFA expert Ahmed El Shenawi said before his departure from Mogadishu’s Aden Abdulle International airport on Friday 25th of April 2014.

SOMALI FOOTBALL FEDERATION | SOCCER MAGAZINE

FIRST PHASE OF NEW CAF PROGRAMMING REFEREES INITIATIVE ENDS IN SOMALIA He said that according to the New CAF Programming Referees initiative the continental football governing body wants that every member nation implements the below mentioned schedules: 1. To register and train young referees between 18-23 years of age. 2. To select educated young people from high schools and universities.

Somali football federation (SFF) concluded the first phase of CAF programming referees initiative which is mainly intended to promote refereeing knowledge across the continent and to increase the quality and quantity of Africa’s soccer referees. Under this constructive initiative, the SFF had awarded certificates to a total of 27 newly-trained referees after successfully completing a 6 month-long training course, as part of the new CAF programming referees initiative.

FIFA PRESIDENT SENDS CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE TO THE NEW SOMALI FA CHIEF Your knowledge, experience will be an important impact on the stable development of our beautiful game in Somali

he President of the world’s football governing body (FIFA) Mr. Joseph S Blatter wrote a letter of goodwill and congratulations to the newly-elected president of Somali Football Federation Mr. Abdiqani Said Arab. “I would like to extend my sincerest congratulations and best wishes of success on the occasion of your election as the new president of Somali Football federation” FIFA president said in his letter sent to the Somali Football Federation and copied to CAF and CECAFA following the election. “Your knowledge, experience and personal qualities will certainly have an important impact on the stable development of our beautiful game in your country. You can rely on

my personal support and FIFA’s assistance in order to reach this goal: The doors of the FIFA Home are open to you whenever you wish to discuss any relevant issues concerning the game and its governance” the world football Boss Mr. Joseph S Blatter emphasized in his letter. “I wish good luck, strength and every success for this new role and look forward to meeting you soon” President Blatter said in his congratulatory message. Before the official letter, the FIFA president said in a post on his twitter that it was a great step forward to see plans to develop women’s football in Somalia referring to President Abdiqani’s pledges to implement a stronger women’s football in the country.

The course ran from January to June 2014 and the 27 referees who won in the final examination were provided with their certificates at ceremony which attracted top officials including the SFF president Ali Said Guled, his deputy Ali Abdi Mohamed and secretary General Abdi Qani Said Arab. Somali Football Federation education officer Ali Mohamed Ahmed who addressed at the closing ceremony outlined the importance of the New CAF Programming Referees initiative which he said was part of CAF’s efforts to increase the refereeing knowledge and experience in Africa.

3. To teach them about the laws of the game and prepare them as future referees. 4. To divide them into different categories such as. A) New Programming Referees. B) Third Division Referees C) Second Division Referees D) First Division (National) Referees E) Candidates for FIFA Referees F) FIFA Referees G) Young talent (Below 30 years of age) H) Elite Referees “After we complete the whole program we will then be able to prepare the referees to be candidates for world cup matches and I am hopeful we will realize such target in the years to come” SFF refereeing development office chief Abdi AbdulleAhmed added. The course was conducted by some of the country’s top referee instructors including: Abdi Abdulle Ahmed, Aweys Ahmed Jimale, Abdirahman Abdi Omar (Shurie), Dr. Hassan Mohamed Mahmoud (Farey), Ali Mohamed Ahmed and Osman Abdi Osman.

SOMALI FOOTBALL FEDERATION | SOCCER MAGAZINE

22 1. MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS’ COMMITMENT • Communication department be manned by suitably qualified staff • Strategy with clear benchmarks and deliverables inclusive of the following; - Planned communication both external and internal. - Database of stakeholders - Database of Media fraternity - Regular updated websites - Regular News letters or e-news letters

Somali FA official Amir Abdi Hassan presents copies of SFF magazine to FIFA media relations manager Mrs. Segolene Valentin May 1st 2014

any CECAFA-Member federations have no communication plan, no websites or digital facilities and nonexistent media relations and operations. They also cannot access FiFA funding when they lack these. Only Somalia out of more than a dozen countries in the region was praised for having its media department fully functioning and having its website regularly updated under the leadership of its media officer Shafi’i Mohyaddin Abokar. The SFF media department was also praised for sending regular updates to FIFA, CAF and CECAFA, while some regions in the region have no even website

No plan There was a strong FIFA team to guide the region in a subject it obviously does very badly in. The FIFA officials were to discover that nearly all national football federations in the region do not have concrete communications plans. After candid discussions with enthusiastic contributions from participants, at the end of the event, CECAFA members came up with a resolution that they will

FOOTBALL FEDERATIONS IN CECAFA ZONE TOLD BY FIFA TO GET THEIR MEDIA FULLY IN ACTION

all set up communication departments in their federation headquarters.

Optimise FIFA experts outlined how FA media departments, large or small – even those run by one person — should offer informative, technical, logistical and updated service of high quality to all media categories in their countries. They said that FA media officers should assist in football optimising media coverage at competitions. The experts also said that FIFA was about development and officers in FA media departments should aim their work at communicating FIFA’s Development Programme, “to assist FIFA’s objectives that include improving the game of football constantly and promoting it globally in the light of its unifying, educational, cultural and humanitarian values, particularly through the youth.”

Assistance Because many FAs had not given enough emphasis in communications many spheres of world football were unaware of the many FIFA programmes and the type of assistance they would receive from the world body.

For example, FIFA has a $100,000 for equipment and operations for an FA Media officer provided the federation is a signed-up member of the FIFA “Performance Programme”. Eight members of the CECAFA region signed up while four did not. The seminar was educated FIFA’s development budgets, about a voluntary “Performance Programme” where FAs are evaluated and assisted to improve and all the guidelines on media relations, media operations and exploitation of the digital potential in modern communications.

Digital age For example, they were told: “Going Digital has immense advantages. In the current world: if you are not on the web, it’s difficult to exist in terms of Communication. You can touch bigger audience than that in newspapers, magazines. You are quicker than a newspaper and have no logistical issues. You can address your Diasporas in the world. You can build a direct relation to fans. “Digital is flexible and multi platforms: you adapt your content to your resources. Internet accessibility is in constant growth, and that will only enhance your efficiency.

- Media officers to accompany teams and manage communication - Undertake Media organization during International matches

Resolutions after the Fifa/Cecafa Communications Seminar in Dar es Salaam.

2. POLICY • Development of policy that allows: - Communication Managers more accountable on communication - Role clarity on regular communication and policy issues. (President addresses policy matters and major decisions, GS deals with Executive matters while Media officers handle day-to-day communications) - Provision of regular meetings at least weekly with Media officers, CEO/ GS and President - Crisis Management - Damage control - Proactive as well as reactive

3. COMMUNICATION TOOLS • Provision of communication tools - Lap tops and Ipads - Still & video cameras - Photocopiers/ Printers/projectors etc - Set up digital platforms like Facebook, twitter accounts & other social media

4. IMPLEMENTATION & REVIEW • Mid-term review during the 2015 Challenge Cup to monitor the progress • Cecafa to ensure at the appropriate forum that these are achieved • Provide feedbacks to FIFA • Propose a Review seminar to FIFA

FOOTBALL’S PEACE INITIATIVE IN SOMALIA MENTIONED IN FIFA INTERNATIONAL DAY OF SPORT DEVELOPMENT FOR PEACE CELEBRATION

n its report to mark on the first anniversary of the international day of sport development for peace celebration on 6th of April 2014, the world football governing body (FIFA) mentioned Somalia as one of the few countries who carried out successful football for peace programs since the UN declared the 6th of April as the global day for sport development for peace in 2013. Somali Football Federation was also happy that the story about the global day posted on the FIFA website had a picture from Somalia as the story featuring photo. “A photo of Somali children being trained during the first ever FIFA grassroots course for Somalia in 2013, was used for the FIFA website story about the celebrations for the global day and that really cheered us too much, because the Somali picture emerging from hundreds of football development-related pictures from a number of FIFA affiliated national federations” Somali Football Federation Secretary General Abdi Qani Said Arab said in a statement. “Using the Somali photo was a clear declaration that FIFA was fully happy with what we are doing here—since the country fell into anarchy nearly 25 years ago, football in Somalia was used in many positive ways, because football was a peace building tool under which we rehabilitated thousands of children protecting them from using drugs or falling into the hands of notorious criminals in the country” Mr. Abdi Qani Said Arab mentioned in his statement. As football’s world governing body, FIFA commemorates this day and the power of football to contribute to human development and peacebuilding. In his video message, FIFA President Blatter stated that he “firmly believes in the power of football to inspire people, build bridges and change lives. “Our sport has a truly global reach and offers unparalleled opportunities to communicate with people from all nations and backgrounds across the world, and demonstrates that even in the most difficult settings, such as Afghanistan or Somalia, football can bring hope.” President Josep Sepp Blatter said according to the post on FIFA.com

FORMER OCEAN STARS MEMBER RECEIVES NATIONAL LEVEL WELCOME

stars members including: Haji Mohamed Ahmed Olow, Ajeelow, Mohamed Abdulle Farayare, Hassan Sheik Aweys, Abdi Farah Gela, Yahye Mohamed Abukar, Awil Ismail Mohamed and Abukar Islow Hassan. Former International Football referee and one of Nation Link Telecom Managers Dr. Hassan Mohamed Ali (Hassan Diritoor) also witnessed the beautiful event. Nation Link is a friendly network company which has been helping Somali football Federation for the past ten years. Somali Football Federation President Ali Said Guled Roble said that it was very cheerful experience for his federation and the entire Somali football family members to welcome a person of such high profile football history. “We still remember the great job you (Ahmed Abas) did for your country in your era as a national team member, Somalia will always be very proud of you” President Ali Said Guled Roble told the former National team player during the welcome ceremony. Ahmed Abas returned home from the United States where he lived for more than 23 years.

n the 31st of January 2014, the Somali Football Federation had organized a national ‘welcome event’ for its former National team member Ahmed Abas Busuri who returned home from the United States where he had lived for more than two decades. Somali Football Federation president Ali Said Guled Roble presented the National team jersey and the country’s flag to the former footballer as an award of honour during a congregation at Stadium Banadir in the presence of the country’s minister for youth and sports Khalid Omar Ali, former international football referee and national intelligence Agency chief General Bashir Mohamed Jama, members of Somali FA executive committee and club authorities. Tens of thousands of spectators at the Stadium stood and applauded for the legend as he entered stadium Banadir where the national welcome ceremony took place.

In 1986 Ahmed Abas Busuri won Somalia’s best player of the year award, but in 1988 he unexpectedly retired as he was still young and strong but unfortunately due to a serious knee injury that put him out of the field. Ahmed has been living in the United States for more than two decades where a car accident left him ‘paralyzed’ and he is now on a wheelchair. “However our brother Ahmed Abas Busuri was on a wheelchair, his experience and commitments were still very helpful to us” Somali Football Federation President Ali Said Guled Roble explained during the National welcome ceremony.

“I am very happy to be here today and receive the National team jersey as an award from Somali Football federation president” the former player said as he was surrounded by some former Ocean SOMALI FOOTBALL FEDERATION | SOCCER MAGAZINE

HAMAR-WEYNE BOYS WIN 2014 YOUTH TOURNEY

FORMER SOMALI FA PRESIDENT WELCOMES ELECTION RESULT

T The stakeholders, the former executive committee and the secretariat are all praiseworthy for playing a key role in the promotion of football in entire the country

he former president of Somali Football federation Ali Said Guled Roble who quitted the election a little while before the start of the second round of the election scintillatingly embraced his successor Abdiqani Said Arab to congratulate him on the landslide victory during the 6th election congress held in the capital on the 31st of August 2014. Mr Roble who headed the Somali Football Federation since after the death of former president Said Mahmoud Nur on April 4 2012, announced his pleasure to accept the outcome of the election which he termed as ‘the most democratic’ exercise he ever witnessed in such war-devastated country. “Taking advantage from this opportunity, I fully praise the congress for having implemented a democratic election and secondly I congratulate my former secretary general for being elected as Somali Football federation president, he deserves to embrace such high profile responsibility” former SFF president Ali Said Guled Roble told a post election press conference. “Here in front of the local and the international media and as well as in

front of Somali NOC president Abdullahi Ahmed Tarabi and the deputy minister for youth and sports Osman Mohamed Abdi, I announce that I have accepted the result and I declare that It was a free and fair election which was fully in line with the SFF constitution and the principles of world football” the former SFF boss told the media. Mr Roble praised his successor for having developed a very professional cooperation with him, while he served as his secretary General. “The stakeholders, the former executive committee and the secretariat are all praiseworthy for playing a key role in the promotion of football in entire the country—we really had very lovely days of cooperation and I hope you will resume it from there” the former Somali Football federation President Ali Said Guled Roble emphasised. Mr. Roble who was one of Somalia’s well known footballers late in 1960s said as long as he is still alive he will be contributing his time, experience and energy to the promotion of football in his country.

he 2014 youth football tournament came to an end with enthusiasm and left much interest amongst the Somali teenagers who are still exchanging ideas and experiences about the competition which will be consistently held every year, as shown in the Somali Football Federation’s strategic plans. The tournament was very competitive, but the Hamar Weyne boys, were lucky to win in the 2014 youth football tournament, after they beat their Waberi rivals by 2-0 in the final match which was played at Stadium Banadir on the 29th of August 2014. The two-week long football for peace event gathered hundreds of young boys of 13, 14 and 15 years of age. They were representing17 youthful soccer teams from various areas, as this was part of the SFF football for peace programs which are mainly intended to create friendship and integration amongst young boys and even to protect them from use of drugs or from falling into the hands of notorious criminals in the country. Several top government officials and Somali Football federation dignitaries had enjoyed the viewing of the final match which also attracted thousands of spectators including some who travelled

from far distances to see Somali teenagers competing in a football for peace tourney after emerging from decades of lawlessness. One teenager who participated in the competition, Hassan Mustafa Ali told the closing ceremony of the competition that he felt glee and satisfaction to meet with friends from far distances. “I wouldn’t have known these friends without this competition, so I would like to thank the Somali Football Federation Authorities for making such competition possible for us” the teenager said. Objectives for organizing the annual youth tourney. Somali Football Federation president Abdiqani Said Arab outlined the importance of the organization of football tournaments for the young people, saying that in some way it was part of football promotion in the country adding that other reasons for organizing the competition included: • To create professional football tournaments special for young boys. • To inspire and develop them through football.

• To motivate the young people culminate in senior level competitions. • To have our U-17 squad built up from the bottom as far as the grassroots level. • To give Somali football clubs the opportunity to benefit young talents from the youth competitions. On his side, the deputy minister for youth and sports Osman Mohamed Abdi told the closing ceremony that he was unwaveringly pleased with the work by Somali Football Federation which he said was helping bring peace and stability into the country. “Football competitions for the past years had played a big role in pacifying the country and as well as the creation of friendship and fraternity amongst thousands of Somali nationals from different regions” said the deputy minister Osman Mohamed Abdi adding that his ministry was lauding for such very fruitful policy. A lot of efforts and huge investments have been made to get such youthful competition come to an end successfully and as promised by the SFF president Abdiqani Said Arab, the competition will be an annual event.

SOMALI FOOTBALL FEDERATION | SOCCER MAGAZINE

30 Somalia who benefitted MA grassroots coaching course in 2013. “This is a golden chance and it is impossible that somebody gets such important chance every day, because now FIFA came to us and gave us knowledge and more experience, so I urge you to take advantage from your time and bear in mind that you will be the instructors of tomorrow” the minister told the trainees. “Football had already become a very huge business industry in the world, so I want you to deliver your knowledge to those who didn’t have such golden chance so that we can advantage from the world’s biggest business industry which seems to be the football” the minister for youth and sport Khalid Ali Omar noted.

HISTORIC MOVE, AS FIRST FIFA REFEREEING COURSE HELD IN SOMALIA IN DECADES

he conclusion of the first FIFA level refereeing course in Somalia on 24th of April 2014, had marked a historical move forward as, the five-day long MA course was the first of its kind that Somali Football Federation organized in the lawless country for more than 25 years. About 28 elite Somali soccer referees from different regions in the country had benefitted from the course which was conducted by FIFA refereeing development expert Ahmed El Shenawi of Egypt.

When a Somali referee is officiating an international match, that will give Somalia a great publicity

Addressing at the conclusion ceremony of the event Mr. El Shenawi said that 7 days passed him quickly because of the good people, high level reception and the lovely time he experienced during his stay in Somalia. He thanked the Somali Football Federation (SFF) for the high profile welcome they extended to him and as well as the good organization to host the international level course. “For years we had been praying to Allah to make future courses in Mogadishu, all hopes became possible and we are all happy that our course has gone smoothly in Somalia” Mr. Ahmed El Shenawi told the closing ceremony. He praised his trainees for their dedication

and commitment to the course both in the class and as well as in the fitness sessions. “I really enjoyed good time in Somalia, thank you very much again and see you soon in another course” FIFA refereeing development officer said during his address at the closing ceremony. For his part Somali Football Federation President Ali Said Guled Roble said that it was a very great opportunity for the SFF to hold such course at home after a long wait and thanked FIFA for its continued efforts to develop football in the war-ravaged country. He said that since 2010 Somalia had its refereeing courses organized in Djibouti, but this was the first one to be held in Somalia for more than 25 years.

He said that the arrival of FIFA in the country was a very tangible for Somalia, adding that conducting the course here in the country saved much money for the Somali Football Federation. “When a Somali referee is officiating an international match, that will give Somalia a great publicity because we see our name (Somalia) appear in the news headlines of international media, because the media mentions the name of the referee and as well as the name of his country” the minister explained. He praised Somali Football Federation authorities for surviving the country’s football adding that the SFF was very praiseworthy for working in a destroyed country with no governmental administration for decades to promote football in Somalia. “On behalf of Somali government, I praise FIFA for helping Somalia appear in all football gatherings around the world. Also I would like to thank our brother Ahmed El Shenawi for coming to teach our elite referees here in the country” the minister told the ceremony before announcing the closure of the 5-day course.

“I would like to thank FIFA president Joseph S. Blatter and his executive committee for protecting Somali football from collapse” the SFF president said before handing over the microphone to Khalid Ali Omar, the minister for youth and sport of the federal government of Somalia. The minister said that the arrival of FIFA in the country for the second year running was very mentionable and even a great opportunity for SOMALI FOOTBALL FEDERATION | SOCCER MAGAZINE

MUSONYE TERMS THE DISTRIBUTION OF SFF MAGAZINE IN EUROPE A ‘GOOD MARKETING’ STEP

LONG-SERVING SECRETARY GENERAL ELECTED SOMALI FA BOSS

Handing over the baton: Outgoing President Ali Said Guled Roble (right) congratulates newly-elected Somalia Football Federation President Abdiqani Said Arab

Somali Football Federation’s long time secretary General Abdiqani Said Arab was elected as the president of the SFF during the 6th election congress held in the capital Mogadishu on the 31st of August 2014. Mr. Arab and the former SFF president were competing in the presidential election of the country’s football governing body which was observed by top profile ministry of sport and Somali National Olympic committee officials. A little while before the start of the second round of the election, the former President Ali Said Guled Roble told the congress that he withdrew from the election and announced he will accept the outcome. However, the entire 28 stakeholders unanimously voted in favour of Mr. Abdiqani Said Arab who will lead the Somali Football federation for the next four years, as announced by the electoral committee chairman Ibrahim Hussein Ali (Roombe) The congress then started voting for three candidates who were running for two vice presidential posts and as announced by the electoral committee Ali Abdi Mohamed collected 28 votes, while Abdullahi Sheik accumulated 23 votes and Abdullahi Abow Hussein was defeated with only 4 votes.

Executive committee members Seven candidates competed for the 6 executive committee posts and they were elected as follows. Yahye Mohamed Abokar 28 votes, Abdirashid Hussein Addow 25 votes, Osman Jama Diraa 24 votes, Mustaf Elmi Afrah 23 votes, Hassan Moalim Yusuf 22 votes, and Hiirey Ahmed Roble 19 votes, while Sharif Mohamed Abokar was defeated with only 7 votes as announced by the electoral committee. At a post election press conference, the electoral committee chairman Ibrahim Hussein Ali said that the election was conducted in accordance with the Somali FA Status and was free and fair exercise. “The election was done in line with the SFF Status and all members with voting rights have attended” he said declaring there were no governmental interferences.

Congratulations from Somali NOC and the ministry of sport The deputy minister for youth and sports Osman Mohamed Abdi and Somali National Olympic committee president Abdullahi Ahmed Tarabi who were observing the election lauded for the

result and promised a greater cooperation with the elected Somali FA president Abdiqani Said Arab and his executive committee members. Somali deputy minister for youth and sports Osman Mohamed Abdi told the congress that his ministry was fully aware of the election process and they had been receiving all updates about the election arrangements day by day. “On behalf of the federal government of Somalia I would like to congratulate the new Somali FA president and his executive committee members, we are welcoming and respecting the results from the election which was done in a free and fair process” the deputy minister said pledging to develop close cooperation with the new president whom he said has came through a democratic exercise.

he Council of east and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) described the exhibition of the SFF activity report magazine in Europe as a ‘good step’ of spreading information of Somali football amongst Somali expatriates and as well as foreigners. In a letter he sent to Somali Football Federation on the 23rd of June 2014, CECAFA Secretary General Nicholas Musonye praised the move of the magazine exhibition in the western world. “This is a very good move to market Somali football through the distribution of your magazine in UK” Mr. Nicholas Musonye said in his letter which also carried a

message of goodwill, motivation and support to the entire Somali Football Family members. “It is an excellent work” added Mr. Nicholas Musonye who is respected amongst Somali people as an important figure for the promotion of football in the wardevastated horn of African country of Somalia. Nicholas Musonye, whose regional body is in charge of FIFA and CAF for the development of football in the east and Central Africa region spends much of his time on giving a particular attention to keeping himself more aware of the situation of Somali Football Federation which operates in a volatile area in the CECAFA region.

For his part, the president of Somali National Olympic committee Abdullahi Ahmed Tarabi, lauded for the election saying that the Somali NOC accepted the result. “What I have witnessed here today was a democratic step forward and on behalf of Somali NOC I remain to thank the SFF stakeholders for such greater move forward” the president of Somali National Olympic committee Abdullahi Ahmed Tarabi told the congress.

SOMALI FOOTBALL FEDERATION | SOCCER MAGAZINE

PARTICIPATION OF INTERNATIONAL PROFESSIONALS ‘SWEETENS’ SOMALI LEAGUE.

OUR DREAMS ARE TO REPRESENT OUR COUNTRY: SAYS SOMALI U-12 CAPTAIN

omali U-12 children, who won London children’s football tournament in 2013, are now hopeful of representing their country in the near future international junior competitions.

The Somali U-11 children had also shown a wonder in the competition, but they were unfortunately eliminated in the semi-final, although they were recognized as the best team in their event.

Hashi Ahmed Mahamud, who captains the Somali U-12 squad in London, who in the meantime plays for the Haringey-based Lordship Rec FC, says he and his colleagues have plans to play for Somalia.

“It was really a very fantastic tournament which attracted over 3000 spectators mostly parents, friends and football-loving fans of whom some arrived from long distances in London” Somali Football Federation Administrative representative in UK, Mr. Abdi Olad Rage told SFF magazine.

“Our dreams are to represent Somalia in international competitions, and we hope that our ambition will become true sometime in the near future” Hashi said in an interview with SFF magazine via phone from London. He said they do training sessions out of their school periods and thanked Somali FA representative in UK, Abdi Olad Rage, for giving them all the trainings they needed which he said had lead them to win the Enfield council-organized football competition that gathered nearly one hundred children’s teams from across London and surrounding areas.

“Taking advantage from this golden opportunity I would like to thank the Enfield council for its continued efforts and support to help us continue the promotion of football here and in particularly the creation of talented Somali children who have good future in football and we are hopeful they will be able to represent Somalia in the future U-17 international competitions” Rage added.

he 2013-2014 football Season in Somalia was more interesting than ever before, as for the first time in history a number of international soccer professionals played at Somalia’s football league [The Nation Link Telecom Championship] Somalia’s top football league was always classified in the country as the ‘most popular’ sporting event in Somalia, but the participation of international players some of them came from as far as Nigeria had sweetened the event and made it more zealous than it used to be. We didn’t have big number of internationals like any other football grown nation elsewhere in the world, but the arrival of 8 more players at our league was something very tangible which showed the outside world that Somalia was saver zone for world class players. As recorded in history, the 8 internationals whose names are mentioned below were the first such number of foreign players to be seen at a Somali league since the country’s football federation was founded in 1951. Due to two combined reasons, there was an incredible increase of local league viewers and that made the league more competitive. The country’s old facility stadium Banadir was decorated with an artificial turf and it was the first time that such carpet was installed on a Somali facility plus the arrival of international players were the two main reasons for the increase of the league viewers.

The 8 professionals who played in our league for the last season mostly from Kenya are: Banadir Sports Club 1: Mustapha Maxwell Utangi No 23 (Nigeria) 2 Thomas Mwangi Gichobi No 30 (Kenya) 3 Marcel Samson Otugi No 12 (Kenya) 4 Harrison Mburu Gitonga. Gaadiidka 5: Lehman Mwanzi Ephram No 28 (Kenya) 6 Fredirick Okoth Mwwengo No 29 (Kenya) 7 Godfry Naibei Gogi No 26 (Kenya) and 8 Vincent Ochieng Miguna No 27(Kenya).

Local journalists who made live coverage are also very praiseworthy for making the league more interesting amongst the Somali people in and outside the country. As SFF, we are very grateful to our friendly journalists and we recognize their role in the exaggeration of the work we are doing in this football-mad nation of Somalia.

Shafi’i Mohyaddin Abokar (Islow) SFF Deputy Secretary General/Chief Media officer

SOMALI FOOTBALL FEDERATION | SOCCER MAGAZINE

REGIONAL FOOTBALL COMMITTEE OFFICES EQUIPPED

A SFF was fully jubilant at the return of football influence into the region which was once well known for its great role in Somalia’s regional tournament.

s part of its regional development program under the ‘Spread the football’ initiative the Somali Football federation (SFF) donated complete office equipment and different kinds of football materials to the elected chairman of the southern Lower Jubba football committee Mr. Burhan Mahmoud Hassan who paid an official work visit to the SFF heaqquarters in Mogadishu early in January 2014. That was his first tour to SFF headquarters since he was elected as regional football boss on 26th of November 2013. A colourful ceremony which intended present the equipment to the elected regional football committee chairman was held at Stadium Banadir on the eve of Jeenyo United-Horseed FC clash which ended in 4-2 in favour of Jeenyo on 7th of January 2014. “On the behalf of the football committee and the entire people in the southern Lower Jubba region, I am very grateful to Somali Football federation authorities for the generous donation and I testify that SFF was fully committed to promoting football both in our region and the entire country” Lower Jubba football committee chairman Mr Burhan Mahmoud Hassan told the media during the equipment presentation ceremony. Mr Burhan noted that with the help of

Somali Football Federation, his committee was intending to prioritise to work on a sudden recovery of football in the former Islamist stronghold region which is currently emerging from decades-long civil wars. The president of Somali Football Federation, Ali Said Guled Roble, for his part said that the SFF was fully jubilant at the return of football influence into the region which was once well known for its great role in Somalia’s regional tournament just nearly 30 years ago. “Lower Jubba region had played a key role in the promotion of the country’s football and in particularly the regional competitions, so glancing back to the past history we want you to be an icon of progress for the region and the SFF will always be along your side in all endeavours toward football promotion” President Ali Said Guled Roble told the regional football committee Boss Mr Burhan Mahmoud Hassan. Meanwhile, Somali Football Federation Secretary General Abdi Qani Said Arab emphasized that the generous donation was part of the SFF’s ‘spread the game’ initiative which is intended to get every Somali child involve in football as the country is now emerging from decades of lawlessness.

materials needed for accomplishing the day-to-day tasks and that is why the SFF was deeming important to equip the regional football committee offices” Secretary General Abdi Qani Said Arab said in a separate press statement. “The equipment given to the regional football committee include: mini footballs

and other materials which are important for the grassroots development program” Mr Abdi Qani Said Arab said in his statement. The SFF Secretary General noted that the southern Lower Jubba region was an example for the rest regions in the country.

“The election they made was a tangible move forward and in return for that the Somali Football Federation is fully committed to helping the elected regional authorities promote football in the whole region—We are once again urging other regions in the country to follow such good example” Secretary General Abdi Qani Said Arab explained.

“To make a progress you must first have your office equipment in place plus the other

SOMALI FOOTBALL FEDERATION | SOCCER MAGAZINE

SFF ACTIVITY REPORT MAGAZINE EXHIBITED IN LONDON

“I would like to call on young Somali football players across the world who want to play for their nation to contact us through the addresses on our website and we will then put them on trail and will send them to the national team if they meet the requirements” technical representative Abdirashid Islow told the ceremony.

can say we haven’t helped our federation in accordance with the big number of Somalis living here in UK and the rest of the developed world, so we need to wake up and do whatever we can, to help our country’s football” Mr. Mohamed Moalim emphasised. “I really confess that a very fantastic job was done, because what we have seen in this magazine, clearly give us an adequate example of the current progress” one of the country’s most renowned football legends, Engineer Hassan Hussein Kulmiye, told the ceremony.

Another technical representative Rabiic Muse added that he and other volunteers had at least achieved something since they were appointed in 2011 adding that they were committed to redoubling their efforts to make dreams come true. “We are working for the nation of Somalia, and we are welcoming every other volunteer who would like to give us an idea or suggestions about how we can grow from where we are now” Rabiic Muse told the ceremony.

omali Football Federation displayed its activity report magazine in London, during a ceremony organized by the SFF’s administrative representative in the UK Dr. Abdi Olad Rage. The event which had seen the attendance of key sporting officials from different national federations, fans and journalists, was held in North London on Sunday, 22nd of June 2014. Members from Somali Sporting family in the UK, who witnessed the exhibition of the magazine, had fully lauded for the successive activities by Somali football federation inside the country and as well as the work being carried out by the SFF representatives in the UK.

Activity Report Magazine illustrates what has been achieved by the SFF.

Former Somali Football Federation executive committee member, Dr. Hussein Diriye Afrah, said he was very happy with the real changes of football development made in the country, praising the current SFF authorities for their commitment to promoting football in a volatile territory. “The beautiful magazine here in front of us, and the detailed information plus pictures of activities it is carrying are all indicating that an enormous job was done—the rehabilitation of old soccer facility by FIFA, was also an immense step forward” said Dr. Hussein Diriye Afrah, who was one of the volunteers who helped to revive Somali Football in the aftermath of the collapse of Somalia in 1991.

Somali National Olympic committee representative in Italy, (Now passed away) Abdulkader Hussein Bootaan, popularly known as (Isoomareey) said it was impossible to implement such huge development programs in a war-weary country, but noted that because of the commitment of Somali Football Federation officials, the SFF did a fantastic job which couldn’t have been accomplished in such chaotic nation. Mohamed Isse Ali (Digeeye), urged Somali expatriates living in the Wet and other parts of the world to support local football development programs adding that the progress currently under way in the country was more tangible and even positive. “In this magazine, I have seen the pictures of division B and division C clubs taking part in local football leagues—this has really made me remember the old good days in the past, because it was more than 35 years ago when I last watched division B and C clubs competing in Somali football” said the veteran, Mohamed Isse Ali, adding that witnessing this was an amazing moment in his lifetime. Somali Football Federation technical representative in the UK, Abdirashid Islow, said that since he was appointed to the position in 2011 he and his colleagues collected many talented players from different countries in Europe and the Arab world to give them the opportunity to represent their nation in international competitions.

Somali Basketball federation vice president for technical development and international relations, Hawa Sheik Ahmed (Hawa Taako) told the ceremony that the activities achieved by Somali football Federation were more touchable. “I would like to urge everyone abroad to go to Somalia and see the development on the ground—you can really understand what major activities are under way in the country when you go back home and learn yourself what is going on” added the Somali basketball’s iron lady. “Somalia is now on the way forward as foreigners are pouring into the country to play in local football leagues—this is something that had never happened before” Mrs. Hawa Taako noted in her address at the ceremony. FIBA Africa Zone 5 marketing commissioner and Inter City basketball committee marketing and media commissioner, Engineer Bana Abdalla Ali, added he was fully lauding for the major changes of development made by Somali Football Federation. “We all gathered here to share the joyful moment with our Somali Football federation brothers, and praise them for what they are doing for the entire country” explained Engineer Bana Ali explained. Chairman of the Somali sporting community in the UK, Dahir Ali Kulmie, said that Somali Football federation was fully praiseworthy for what they have been doing for the past 25 years of

lawlessness and hardships in the country. “Here we see an activity report magazine, which illustrates what has been achieved by the SFF—we see that the history of Somali football is now being kept in archive and on behalf of the sporting community in the UK, I pledge that we will always be standing by their side” Mr Dahir Ali Kulmiye added. “Saying them thank you for what you have done, is also a great support” the Somali Sporting community leader told the ceremony.

Diaspora community Role A leading Somali community member, Mohamed Moalim, urged Somali Diaspora community to join forces and discuss on what support they can contribute to the Somali Football Federation whose activities were more visible. “For the past 25 years of bloodshed and anarchy in the country, Somali Football Federation, had not halted its activities even for a single minute---this shows that the SFF authorities were committed to protecting Somali football from collapse and they really succeeded in their attempts” he said. He said that in comparison with the troubled situation, under which Somali Football Federation, was working he sees that 100% progress has been achieved by the SFF officials. “I know a few people work with Somali Football Federation from abroad, but I

Somali Handball Federation Vice president, Mohamed Abdullahi Ali, who delivered a short address at the ceremony said that everything was clearer when it comes to the big role of development by Somali Football federation in and outside the country. He urged representatives of national federations abroad to establish cooperations and help each other as they all work for the nation of Somalia.

Somali UK football development Strategy Somali Football Federation administrative representative in the UK, Dr. Abdi Olad Rage, gave a brief introduction about the Somali UK football Development strategy which composes of nearly 10 main sections as part of the long-term football development programs for Somali children between 5-18 years of age. Dr. Rage said he was expecting that thousands of Somali children will benefit from the program whose main objective is to educate children under football and help them get the opportunity to represent their nation in international competitions. One of the main objectives, for this programme is to protect the Somali children from becoming drug addicts or falling into other kinds of crimes outside of their school periods. On the behalf of Somali Football Federation, Dr. Rage, thanked the members of the Somali sporting community in the UK and representatives from some national federations and Somali NOC for accepting the invitation from Somali FA to attend the SFF Magazine exhibition ceremony.

SOMALI FOOTBALL FEDERATION | SOCCER MAGAZINE

SFF ANNUAL CONGRESS APPROVES MAJOR MOVES FORWARD IN 2013

At the end of SFF secretary General’s two hour-long speech, the congress then started voting for the agendas including the constitutional amendment in particularly the articles of 21, 32, and 84 within the SFF constitution. After the proposal by the executive committee, the congress also approved Mr. Ali Abdi Mohamed, as the SFF senior vice president to fill in the position which has been empty since the death of former SFF president on April 4, 2012. Mr. Mohamed has been executive committee member for the past several years. However, the congress unanimously approved the entire agendas discussed at the congress which continued throughout the day. According to the amendments approved by the congress, the future SFF executive committee members will be slowed down to 9, while the current SFF executive committee is 13 members.

omalia, a country recovering from long-existed unrest and civil wars, currently sees a better football future, as the country’s football federation (SFF) stakeholders showed full satisfaction with the 2014 developmental strategic plan plus what has been recognized by the stakeholders as ‘unprecedented’ activities accomplished in the country, in the year 2013. The major achievements made by the SFF include: the implementation of the first ever FIFA Grassroots coaching course for Somalia, a move that was part of FIFA president Joseph S. Blatter’s ‘develop the game touch the world initiative’ the reconstruction of Stadium Banadir and the arrival of top FIFA official in Somalia for the first time since 1986. The congress was opened by SFF president, Ali Said Guled Roble, while after the president’s opening remarks, the Somali Football federation secretary General Abdi Qani Said Arab read the congress agendas in accordance with the SFF and FIFA statues.

Develop the game touch the world initiative

Mr. Abdi Qani Said Arab outlined the SFF’s annual activity report which carried detailed information about the activities and the financial report for the year 2013, which were displayed on a screen fixed to the congress hall. He also disclosed the 2014 budged and the SFF annual plans as he explicitly answered scores of questions asked him by stakeholders. The local auditor also presented a full explanation on the 2013 Somali FA financial report.

“Dear honourable stakeholders, I hope you have got a common understanding about the 2013 financial report, and the major moves we took forward during the year which you also have been witnessing though the year and we are very grateful to you for your help, as we couldn’t have approached such achievement without your contribution and commitment” the SFF secretary General Abdi Qani Said Arab said in his prolonged explanations for the 2013 activities. He told the congress, that in 2014, the international football governing body ‘FIFA’ will implement other major projects in the country as part of FIFA’s efforts to help the war-ravaged country’s football fully recover from decades of lawlessness and civil wars during which so many football volunteers including former SFF president Said Mahmoud Nur, SFF executive committee member Ali Hussein Kariye, International football referee Abdi Abdullahi Alasow and scores of other volunteers including players and fans lost their lives in the country, where football was termed as a ‘satanic’ act by Islamists. “Dear honourable stakeholders, as you may have already been aware, FIFA had approved two main other projects for Somalia including another artificial turf that will be installed on the Somali University stadium, the construction of technical centre and the SFF’s future headquarters---this will be the first time that Somali Football Federation will have its own centre” Secretary General Abdi Qani Said Arab told the congress.

“In 2013 we really witnessed some tangible developments and as stakeholders we are fully satisfied with the wide range of tasks achieved through the year and what is expected to be done in the years to come, according to the activity plans read to the congress” said Mr. Bashir Salad Barre, chairman of DBG FC, on the behalf of stakeholders. “What we are doing is all about football and as the country’s football stakeholders we are very grateful to FIFA and Somali Football Federation for the unprecedented achievements in the past year including the reconstruction of Stadium Banadir which we deem as the most important step forward, because we fully needed such international style facility” Mr Bashir Salad Barre told the congress adding that the grassroots course was also a milestone which he sad had so far yielded positive results in the country. SFF President, Ali Said Guled Roble, who closed the congress thanked the stakeholders for their great role in the promotion of football in the country urging them to redouble their longexisted efforts in a bid to help the SFF realize the rest of its long term dreams. “I know you are the ones who helped to protect Somali football from collapse and while having that in mind, let us do stronger efforts to make our football top most” SFF president, Ali Said Guled Roble, noted before announcing the closure of SFF annual congress on 30th of December 2013.

SOMALI FOOTBALL FEDERATION | SOCCER MAGAZINE

SOMALI GOVT PRAISES FIFA FOR ‘KEEPING FOOTBALL ALIVE’ IN THE COUNTRY

fter witnessing the successful conclusion, of the first FIFA MA refereeing course in the country for more than 25 years, the Federal government of Somalia praised the world’s top football governing body (FIFA) for its remarkable assistance to the war-weary country. Somalia’s minister for youth and sport, Mr. Khalid Ali Omar, said that FIFA’s particular consideration to Somalia had demonstrated how the world body was committed to playing a key role in the country, not only promoting football, but also humanitarian assistance, that prevented hundreds of thousands of Somalis from starving to death. “On behalf of the federal government of Somalia, I would like to praise and thank FIFA under the chairmanship of President Joseph S. Blatter, who have been keeping our football alive since Somalia fell into anarchy more than two decades ago” the minister Khalid Ali Omar said in his statement.

Reconstruction of Stadium Banadir The minister said that the reconstruction of the country’s old football facility Stadium Banadir, was one of the very positive steps taken by FIFA toward the promotion of football in Somalia.

“As we know Stadium Banadir, was fitted with an artificial carpet and with the completion of that huge project we have got an international style facility and I would like to thank President Blatter, his secretary General and executive committee members, for such move forward” noted the minister for youth and sport Mr. Khalid Ali Omar.

Humanitarian assistance Glancing back to FIFA’s reaction to the 2011 humanitarian crisis in the horn of African country, the Somali minister said his country will always remember the world football’s generous donation that rescued the lives of hundreds of thousands of Somalis after the country experienced the worst draughts in more than a decade. “I can understand that the good cooperation which the Somali Football Federation developed with FIFA, was the main reason behind such unique donation for Somalia—the cooperation is more important and I thank Somali Football Federation for its commitment and joint work with FIFA” the minister for youth and sport explained in his statement on behalf of the federal government of Somalia.

SOMALI MATCH COMMISSIONERS AVAIL FROM CAF SEMINAR

wo match commissioners, from Somalia had taken part in a seminar organized by the Confederation of African Football for the continent’s match commissioners and was held in Cairo, Egypt from 3-4 April 2014. The Somali members Amir Abdi Hassan and Hassan Mohamed Ali were among One hundred and ten (110) match commissioners from 54 CAF-member federations. The seminar addressed and clearly clarified the responsibilities and the rights of the officials for matches. Various topics discussed during the seminar included regulations of CAF competitions, marketing, media and refereeing. CAF Secretary General, Hicham El Amrani, who addressed at the seminar, explained the importance of CAF Club licensing system, its implementation and use of new CAF CMS -- the newly launched electronic management system. One of Somalia’s participants of the seminar, Amir Abdi Hassan told SFF Magazine that the lessons taken in the seminar were very crucial and they will exercise what they had learned from the seminar in the country. All participants of the two-day event, were given certificates of attendance during the conclusion ceremony, which attracted several top level officials including CAF director of competitions, Madame Shareen Arafa and his Deputy Khaleed Nasser.

SOMALI FOOTBALL FEDERATION | SOCCER MAGAZINE

SOMALI PM: PROMOTION OF FOOTBALL CULTURE MARKS THE RECOVERY OF SOMALIA

ressed in the National team tracksuit, Somalia Prime Minister, Abdiweli Sheik Ahmed, said that the giant progress of the game in the country was a clear indication for the recovery of Somalia after more than two decades of bloodshed and lawlessness. The Prime minister, made the announcement during a colourful ceremony at Stadium Banadir, where he and key other government officials including ministers, lawmakers and top army officials enjoyed the final match of the General Da’ud cup on Friday 16thof May 2014. The Prime minister and his delegation came to the stadium on the invitation from Somali Football Federation. Jeenyo United FC won the trophy after humiliating their Heegan FC rivals by 4-2 in the hotly contested match which attracted tens of thousands of spectators. Somali Football Federation Secretary General, Abdi Qani Said Arab, who first addressed at the conclusion ceremony, said that the arrival of the Prime minister and his delegation at Stadium Banadir, was an immense publicity for his federation and the entire football-loving people of Somalia. “Mr Prime Minister, your stay here with us today, while wearing the national team tracksuit shows us that Somali government loves football and was committed to supporting the beautiful game” Mr. Said Arab told the prime minister. “Dear Mr Prime minister, here in front of you I would like to praise the Somali National Army chief of staff, brigadier General Dahir Aden Elmi, for his generosity to sponsor the competition, which we annually hold as a memorial service for the founder of Somali Army the late General Da’ud Abdulle Hersi” Mr. Abdi Qani Said Arab expressed.

He praised the role of local and international media for their professional coverage of all football activities in the country. For his part Somali Football Federation President, Ali Said Guled Roble, said that the organization of the General Da’ud cup has a great importance for his federation and the entire people of Somalia, as the annual event is done as remembrance for the founder of Somalia’s military. “On behalf of Somali Football Family, I

would like to say that the Army chief of staff, brigadier General Dahir Aden Elmi, is fully praiseworthy for becoming the first leader to sponsor the General Da’ud cup” Mr. Ali Said Guled Roble, told the ceremony before handing over the microphone to the Prime Minister Mr. Abdiweli Sheik Ahmed. The Prime minister noted that such ceremony was a ‘remarkable brain recovery’ adding that the attendance of such big audience at the stadium was a clear example that the life in Somalia was

emerging from years of darkness to the light of peace and development. “I used to watch the General Da’ud cup decades ago now life is returning to normal and the promotion of football culture in the country marks the recovery of Somalia” the Prime minister accentuated adding that it was a great day for him to enjoy at Stadium Banadir with tens of thousands of football spectators.

SOMALI FOOTBALL FEDERATION | SOCCER MAGAZINE

SOMALIA AT 64TH FIFA CONGRESS

s any other FIFA member Nation, Somalia participated in the 64th FIFA annual congress which was held in Sao Paulo, Brazil between 10-11 2014. The Somali Football Federation delegation to the global event composed of three key SFF executives. The three member delegation from Somalia was lead by President Ali Said Guled Roble and included senior vice president Ali Abdi Mohamed and Secretary General Abdiqani Said Arab. Somalia had never missed any international football meeting, as

the SFF is always committed to giving a particular consideration to the participation of international, continental and as well as regional football-related conferences. The attendance of the conferences and other important gatherings is one of the key requirements shown in the annual work plans and with respect to that, Somalia always gives more priority to show up at all conferences, whether global, continental or regional. During their stay in Brazil, the Somali Delegation also attended at the annual congress of the Confederation of African football (CAF) which was also held there prior to the world cup kick off.

SOMALIA EARNS FIFA PRAISE FOR MEDIA WORK

SOMALIA ATTENDS 2014 FIFA WORLD CUP ANALYSING CONFERENCE

Somali Football Federation executive Amir Abdi Hassan who addressed at the seminar outlined the policy and the annual activity plans of the Somali Football Federation Media department which has been publishing the SFF magazine for the past several years.

Well done: Fifa Media Relations Manager Segolene Valentin (left) receives copies of the Somalia Football Federation annual activity report magazine from key Somali FA member Amir Abdi Hassan

he technical director of Somali Football Federation, and the Ocean stars’ head coach attended FIFA/CAF conference for analysing the 2014 FIFA world cup and was held in the Egyptian capital of Cairo from 30 September-1st of October 2014. Technical directors and national team coaches from CAF-member nations attended the conference organized by the world Football’s governing body FIFA in collaboration with the confederation of African Football (CAF).

ermed as a ‘communications role model’ the Somali Football Federation, a clear expectation in the CECAFA region is commended in a region where media plans at federations’ headquarters were like non-existent. The International Football Federation (FIFA) praised the media department of the Somali Football Federation, for accomplishing a fantastic work terming the publication of SFF magazine a ‘good example’.

“It was a very important event during which all participants exchanged ideas and experiences about technicality, logistics and what has been learned from how the 2014 FIFA world cup was organized” said SFF technical director, Awil Ismail Mohamed, who along with National team coach George Sammwagere represented Somalia in the top profile gathering.

The FIFA media relations Manager Mrs. Segolene Valentin made the announcement at the launch of FIFACECAFA communications seminar in Dar Es Salaam on 1st of May 2014, as she praised Somali Football Federation for successfully accomplishing all media and communications-related tasks.

He said that his delegation gathered very useful experience on techniques and logistics from the meeting which he said will help technical development in Somalia.

She said that Somali Football Federation’s media department was fully praiseworthy for making such tangible progress.

FIFA director of member associations, Mr. Thiery Regennas, who addressed at the event praised Africa’s performance at the 2014 FIFA world Cup in Brazil. He said that Algeria and Nigeria’s romping through of the group stage was something very historical. FIFA executive committee member Mr. Hany Abo Rida also spoke at the opening of the conference and said that such event was very salient for the future of the game. FIFA and CAF have been organizing such world cup analysing conference since 2002 and this was the fourth time since then.

discuss the possibility of organising and it has materialised at long last. It is of immense benefit.” Tenga said. Cecafa Secretary General Nicholas Musonye said that the regional football governing body was very grateful to FIFA and in particularly President Joseph S Blatter and Secretary General Jerome Valcke for regularly being receptive to requests about Cecafa development needs. “CECAFA is committed to doing its utmost to develop the media and administration sectors of its member associations” secretary General Nicholas Musonye said during his address at the launching ceremony of the two-day workshop. Musonye said he was very hopeful that such seminars will continue to help develop media and communications sectors of the CECAFA-member nations.

“Somali Football Federation believes that without an organized and professional media football cannot grow and that is why the SFF had decided to invest in the media department which is the responsible body and hugely worked that our messages appear in the news headlines everywhere in the world and that FIFA is fully aware of what we are doing day by day” Mr. Amir Abdi Hassan noted. “We also keep good cooperative relations with the privately-owned and as well as the public media both in the country and in the outside world and the Somali Football Federation believes that media is a major stakeholder---I want to thank our media officer Shafi’i Mohyaddin Abokar (Islow) for maintaining good relations with the local and international media” Mr. Amir Abdi Hassan explained. Other resource persons at the workshop included: Marco Schueepp; Manager of FIFA performance Programme; the head of FIFA development programmes Cyril Loisel, Deputy head of FIFA digital Media Fabrice Deschamps, Raphael Morgulis, FIFA information manager, Member Associations and Development Division and Nicholas Maingot the deputy Director of communications and Public Affairs at FIFA.

“This is the work that every media officer could do” FIFA Media relations manager Mrs. Segolene Valentin said as she held the SFF activity report magazine in her hand, praising the beautiful job done by the Somali FA media department. Cecafa President, Leodegar Tenga, thanked FIFA for facilitating the communication seminar for the region to see what ought to be put in place. “We have worked since 2012 to have this work shop take place. I met with Emmanuel Maradas of FIFA media to SOMALI FOOTBALL FEDERATION | SOCCER MAGAZINE

YOUNG AGE SOMALIS SEEN AMONGST FIFA NEW INT’L REFEREES LIST 2014

SOMALI FA DONATES CASH PLUS EQUIPMENT TO ITS CLUBS

he Somali Football Federation has on Tuesday provided cash donations and as well as full sports equipment to its division B and Division C clubs. Every year, the clubs receive such donation from the SFF, at the beginning of football year to help them promote football since Somalia has no sponsors.

SFF and its clubs were dependent on FIFA support, as international football

The distribution ceremony of the equipment and the cash donation was held at the Somali Football Federation headquarters on Tuesday, November 4. The move was part of the SFF’s programme to develop clubs both technically and financially, according to Deputy Secretary General, Hassan Mohamed Mahmoud. SFF Senior vice president, Ali Abdi Mohamed, added that his Federation has in the past been giving such assistance to its clubs since they don’t have sponsorships. Somali Football Federation President, Abdiqani Said Arab, who finally addressed at the gathering, said that in accordance with the rest of FIFA-member nations, Somalia

was exceptional and the SFF was obliged to financially assist the clubs. “Both the SFF and the clubs have no sponsors and our football depends of the assistance from FIFA, so we came to decision to assist our clubs who have been playing a big role in the promotion of football in the country” president Abdiqani Said Arab noted. “For the past two decades the SFF, was helping its clubs, but this time the assistance was bigger than the clubs received from the SFF in the past” the president said adding that the federation was always committed to helping its clubs as much as it could. Somali FA has been active in chaotic country, where the SFF and its clubs were dependent on FIFA support, as international football sponsoring companies were unable to come. But now that Somalia is emerging from years of conflicts and the country was able to host FIFA level courses for the second year running, president Abdiqani Said Arab called on international football interested companies to come and get involved in Somali Football.

n the beginning of 2014, the International Football Federation (FIFA) had announced the list of 2014 International referees and assistant referees. The global list showed young age Somalis who were the seemingly new to the international platform the time, but had so far served as referees in the country’s National league. Some of the new faces who appeared in the international list include: Mohamed Hagi Hassan, Mohamed Mussa Abdullahi, Aweys Abdullahi Sheik and Ali Mohamud Mahad. According to the global list, the young age Somali referees’ international standard started from January 2014 and will last until they will have to retire. Bashir Olad Arab who formerly served as an international assistant referee now changed into a ‘centre’ referee after he was out for a period of one year through the process of changing position, as the law allows. Some other key former international referees and assistant referees were

removed from the FIFA list due to different reasons, according to Somali Football Federation refereeing development office Chief Abdi Abdulle Ahmed, himself a former international centre referee. Those removed from the FIFA list are: Nur Mohamed Abdulle (Rooso), Aweys Nur Mohamed, Abdirahman Abdi Omar (Shuriye) and Mohamed Hassan Fidow. “All I can say about them is that they were very active and voluntarily served for the country, they showed activeness and commitment to both local and international duties during their period as FIFA referees and we will always be thankful to them” SFF refereeing development office Chief Abdi Abdulle Ahmed said in a press statement. Mr. Ahmed said that the new referees added into the FIFA list of international referees and assistant referees were new generation and had professionally served in the Somali league for the past three seasons.

and in March 2013 where they gained much knowledge and experience whilst FIFA instructors who taught them were fully satisfied with their performances during class attendance and fitness training sessions” Somali Football Federation refereeing development office Chief Abdi Abdulle Ahmed told SFF Magazine. On the 18th of April 2012, FIFA instructor Joseph Wellington told the SFF media that he was fully satisfied with the fitness and endurance of the young age referees brought to the course by Somali Football federation. “Most referees in the course are very young and I say with a loud voice that Somali Football Federation authorities are praiseworthy for coming up with such young faces. FIFA is very much interested in the young age referees and it spends hundreds of millions of dollars annually on the refereeing development programs world wide” the FIFA instructor indicated.

“These young age referees were trained at the FIFA level courses held for Somalia in Djibouti in April 2012

SOMALI FOOTBALL FEDERATION | SOCCER MAGAZINE

UN JOINS SOMALI FA TO ENCOURAGE PEACE THROUGH FOOTBALL: KAY RECOGNIZED AS FOOTBALL FAMILY MEMBER

Having a very cheerful atmosphere, the UN representative Nicholas Kay started his speech with greetings in Somali language saying ‘Galab wanaagsan’ which means ‘good afternoon’ in English. “It is very great pleasure for me to be here today. This is one of my happiest and best days in Somalia to come and see young people playing football in a soccer facility here in Mogadishu. For me this is something very special and thank you for inviting me” the UN official explained.

“I think there are two reasons for holding today’s match. The first reason is that this is the month of peace in the world and the 21stof September is the international peace day and today the trophy they are playing for is the peace trophy. Somalia is one country which is now beginning to enjoy peace and it needs more and more peace” Mr. Kay said adding that the second reason was to share the pleasure and the world peace observation with Somali youth.

omali Football Federation and the United Nations Office in Somalia (UNSOM) had jointly organized a football for peace event as an observation for the international day of peace.

The match was played at stadium Banadir in Mogadishu on Sunday 7thof September 2014 after the UN special representative for Somalia Nicholas Kay requested the Somali FA to organize the match in the first week of September, as an early celebration for the International event which is annually observed throughout the world to strengthen the ideals of peace in the world.

“We are now four years away from 2018 FIFA world cup and my real wish is that in 2018 we will see some of these players playing in the world cup and we will be cheering you all the way to Russia” he added.

Before the UN representative was invited to kick the first ball of the match, the Somali Football federation President Abdiqani Said Arab and the UN representative Nicholas Kay talked to the media to highlight the importance of the peace day program.

“Thank you very much for inviting me and next time we will come here with a team from the United Nations to have a friendly match against Somali Football federation officials” the UN special representative for Somalia concluded his speech at the world peace event in Mogadishu.

“It is a great honour for the Somali Football Federation, to welcome the top UN official to Stadium Banadir, for the first time and his arrival here is a clear indication that the UN was interested in football by preferring to mark the world peace celebration with football match with the help from Somali FA” President Abdiqani Said Arab noted.

However, Banadir sports club defeated Elman FC in penalties after the 90-minute period it takes to play a football match ended in 2-2 draw.

“Football is the people’s game as more than 95% of Somalis are football-loving people and that is why the UN special representative Mr. Nicholas Kay arrived here today and even dressed in our national football team shirt and we recognize him as member of the football family” SFF president emphasized. As football is capable of attracting hundreds of thousands of people at one time and has been playing a key role in peace promotion and youth integration in the country for more than two decades, the Somali Football Federation President, Abdiqani Said Arab, sent a strong message to the United Nations requesting the world body to pay much attention to football which has so far been used as an element of peace building and yielded positive results. “This world peace event is the start for the cooperation between the United Nations and Somali Football Federation and we will continue working on peace together” President Abdiqani Said Arab said before handing over the microphone to the top UN official in Somalia.

UN Special representative for Somalia Nicholas kay (Right) and Somali FA president Abdiqani Said Arab pictured at Stadium Banadir during peace day match

SOMALI FOOTBALL FEDERATION | SOCCER MAGAZINE

WOMEN’S FOOTBALL PROMOTION WILL BE ONE OF MY KEY PRIORITIES, SAYS SOMALI FA BOSS

UNPRECEDENTED SHOW OF SUPPORT FOR NEW SOMALIA FOOTBALL BOSS AND HOPES FOR BRIGHT FUTURE Haji Mohamed Ahmed Olow, one of Somalia’s well known football legends in 1960s said it was very pleasurable moment for him to participate in such meeting with old friends including some playmates they had enjoyed football together nearly half a century ago.

SFF president Abdiqani Said Arab carefuly listens to advice by former Somali NOC president Abdulkader Ibrahim Ga’al

he President of Somali Football Federation Abdiqani Said Arab became overwhelmingly full of hopes when the country’s football family members expounded much support for the president and his committee during a welcome ceremony they organized to salute him and was held at Dayah hotel in Mogadishu. The welcome ceremony which gathered hundreds of football volunteers including the country’s most renowned legends was as known in history described the ‘first of its kind’ to be ever organized in Somalia as a welcome party for a football federation president. Chairman of the DBG FC, Bashir Salad Barre, who spoke at the ceremony on the behalf of the congress reiterated that Somali Football stakeholders were committed to the promotion of the game in Somalia and will do everything in their capacity to help the elected federation officials. Director General of the ministry for youth and Sports, Dahir Abdi Abdullahi, started his address with words of congratulations sent to SFF president Abdiqani Said Arab and his executive committee members and as well as the congress for electing an active and experienced young president. “It is a great honour for the ministry of sport to witness such congregation which shows the eagerness and commitment by the Somali Football family members to make a development” the director general told the welcome ceremony on Friday 5th

of September 2014. “On behalf of Somali government, I thank you for your past activities and I affirm that sporting organizations were the sole institutions that were and still active and alive in the country since after the fall of Somalia” Mr. Dahir Abdi Abdullahi told the welcome party.

“This is a day of unity for the entire Somali Sporting family, as I see the ministry of sport, the Somali National Olympic committee, old players, fans and football stakeholders sitting together to expound support for the new SFF president Abdiqani Said Arab and his committee” the veteran footballer told the ceremony.

n his post election address, the president elected of Somali Football Federation, Mr. Abdiqani Said Arab, displayed a complete strategic plan for football development in the country with women’s football and beach soccer creation to be some of the main priories as shown in the new work plans.

Former Somali National Olympic committee president and current NOCSOM honorary president, Abdulkader Ibrahim Ga’al known as ‘Abkow’ whose speech was mostly about citing the past history suggested advice and ideas of how to make development to the new SFF executive committee under the leadership of president Abdiqani Said Arab. The president of Somali NOC Abdullahi Ahmed Tarabi added that the recent election of Somali Football was a very beautiful job done by the stakeholders when they elected young and experienced president who has more knowledge in football administration. “I praise the Somali Football Family members for organization such very important meeting to show exquisite support for the federation” the National Olympic committee president explained. Somali Football Federation President Abdiqani Said Arab who finally addressed at the welcome party thanked the congress for giving him the chance to lead Somali Football for the next four years. “I would like to thank the president of the world football body (FIFA) Mr. Joseph S Blatter and his committee for accepting the result of our election and sending a message of goodwill and congratulations to us in the early hours of the following day—not only felicitations, but president Blatter pledged for us his personal support and that of FIFA in general and that shows the position Somalia stands

The new president started his address with unwavering thanks and praises suggested to the congress members for electing him the president of SFF for the period 2014-2018.

in FIFA” president Abdiqani Said Arab said in his address. He said that the support and congratulations offered to him by CAF President Issa Hayatou, CECAFA and so many friendly FIFA member associations were very welcome and fully appreciated. However, the president welcomed the offer by the old footballers, experts and former referee instructors including Mohiyadin Mahmoud Mohamed who was the referee instructor of Farah Addow. Those veterans in the attendance who contributed to Somali Football from 1940s included: Mohiyadin Mahmoud Mohamed popularly known as (Farqajaan) who served as football referee between 1947-1970s and as well as Mohamed Farah (Dabdamis) and Haji Yusuf Mohamed Sheekh who served as referees in the years between 1970s-1980s. Football legends including some who played for Somalia in 1960s and some who represented the country until late 1980s were also present at the ceremony: They included: Haji Mohamed Ahmed Olow, Muridi Zein and Ahmed Abas Busuri.

He praised the former president Ali Said Guled Roble for dedication and commitment which lead the Somali Football Federation to achieve tangible development goals so far. “The former president’s democratic acceptance of the election outcome was very encouraging experience and as shown in the SFF constitution he is our honorary president and we will carefully listen to his advice and constructive and suggestions” president Abdiqani Said Arab mentioned in his post election address. The president pledged that he will serve for the country in accordance with the SFF constitution and as well as the international football principles. In his strategic plans, President Abdiqani Said Arab, explained that nationwide football development programs will be carried out for the next four years. Some of the most

prioritised fields of the development programs will include: • Educational enhancement programs including. • Capacity building workshops for club managers, regional sporting leaders • The implementation of beach soccer in the country for the first time. • The creation of women’s football in Somalia • The increase participation.

local

league

• The inauguration of regional leagues in a ‘zonal system’ • The strengthening of the already existed co-operations with the government.

The President also said that he will consolidate the international relationships in particularly the relations with FIFA, CAF and CECAFA. “Dear Stakeholders and honourable guests, I can’t conclude my speech without thanking FIFA for helping Somali Football reach such stage where we have been able to organize democratic elections in this chaotic country---FIFA under the leadership of President Joseph. S Blatter had done whatever they could to protect Somali football from collapse during the difficult years we experienced” President Abdiqani Said Arab noted. Mr. Arab, a member of FIFA beach soccer committee and a longserving CECAFA executive is respected here in the country as one of the volunteers who helped the revival of Somali Football in the aftermath of the collapse of Somalia in 1991.v

SOMALI FOOTBALL FEDERATION | SOCCER MAGAZINE

YOUNG FOOTBALL WRITERS AWARDED FOR THEIR WORK

SOMALIA, A NEW FAVOURITE DESTINATION FOR FOREIGN PLAYERS

Somali Football Federation presented certificates of honour to some nine young football journalists for their role of giving much time to covering football activities in the country. The journalists including one female football commentator Naro Kin Hashi Nure, received their awards during the conclusion ceremony of the 2013-2014 football season of the year which was held at Holiday Hotel in Mogadishu on the 23rd of June 2014. “This is an award of recognition for these privileged young football journalists and as a football community in Somalia we believe that football and the media are key twins in the public sector and that is why we are awarding them” Somali Football Federation Media officer Shafi’i Mohyaddin Abokar said. The SFF media officer highlighted on the importance of the cooperation between Somali Football Federation and the media which he termed as a ‘vital’ for the promotion of the game in Somalia. “It is really very vivid that local journalists had played a key role in the exaggeration of our football and their contribution is deemed important” the Media officer explained. He said that rather than professional leagues, the awarded journalists were always seen going to small pitches in villages reporting from young people playing the game describing it a very crucial role played by the local media. The awarded young football journalists included: Mohamed Shuriye Nur Mohamed Ibrahim Abdulle (Biibaaye) Abdullahi Hassan Suleyman (Baliil) Nasro Kin Hashi Nure Hussein Mohamed Hadafow Mohamed Ahmed Siyad (Black) Abdullahi Dahir Siyad (Dhakoos) Ahmed Hassan Addow OmarIbrahim Abdisalaan

Foreign players recruited by the Defending Champions Banadir Sports Club

FOOTBALL clubs in Somalia have now put violence behind and recruited more foreign players. In the 20142015 season. Some 19 players were enlisted in the country’s Nation Link Telecom Championship that will pay them more they were earning in their respective countries. Somali Football Federation Media Officer, Shafi’i Mohyaddin Abokar, said that the increase of foreign football professionals in Somalia is seen as a ‘significant’ mark of soccer progression in the country. Defending champions Banadir SportsClub were recognised as the pioneers for transferring foreign players.

[SFF] media officer Shafi’i Mohyaddin Abokar noted. He said that the appearance of international professionals in the Somali league was also an outstanding marketing step for the country whose football has mainly been dependent on the financial assistance from FIFA. “Somalia has now become a favourite destination for foreign players” the SFF Media officer said in his press statement which was issued prior to the league kick off.

The foreign players in Somalia came from different African countries and prominently from Uganda, Kenya and Nigeria.

He said the lawless atmosphere in Somalia had for many years prevented the country from attracting international sponsors, but now that the situation is returning to normal the SFF and its clubs were eying local and international sponsorships.

“The show up of foreign players in the country is very noteworthy. Some six clubs in the national league have transferred more players, so this is a remarkable progress for Somalia which is now recovering from decades-long anarchy,” Somali Football Federation

League football is played in Mogadishu at a superbly neat Banadir Stadium, which was refurbished with the aid from FIFA in 2013. Crowd attendance is big in most matches and bursts at the seams in the top bill clashes especially between Banadir and Elman.

Here is the list of the foreign players, the clubs they joined and as well as their countries. Dekedda: MICHAEL JUMA (Kenya), OKORO MATHIAS OGBOKIRI (Nigeria), SUBEIR YUSUF ODUORI (Kenya) Elman FC: MUGISHA IVAN (Uganda) NTAABAZI MUBIRU EDDIE (Uganda) ELuNGAT MARTIN (Uganda) IBRAHIM WAKILI UMAR (Nigeria) Banadir Sports Club: MARCEL ODHIAMBO OYUGI, (Kenya) THOMAS MWANGI GICHOBI (Kenya) MUSTAPHA MAXWELL UTANGI (Nigeria) IMAN KAFUNAYO KINENE (Uganda) HEEGAN FC: SAMSON IYKE CHUKWO, (Nigeria) MOHAMED ZUBAIRU (Nigeria) GENTIE FRANK HARRY (Nigeria) GAADIIDKA: LEHMAN MWENEZI, (Kenya) GODFRY NAIBEI (Kenya) IKECHUKWU NNOROM (Nigeria) ODILI GERALD OKWUDILI (Nigeria)

SOMALI FOOTBALL FEDERATION | SOCCER MAGAZINE

A DECADE LATER BANADIR SPORTS CLUB REGAINS SOMALI LEAGUE TITLE.

25 SOMALI COACHES PROVIDED WITH CAF LICENCE ‘C’ CERTIFICATES

omalia made an unprecedented approach in its football history, when the confederation of African Football (CAF) provided their licence ‘C’ certificates with 25 youthful Somali football coaches. The young age coaches received their certificate during a colourful event at the Global Hotel in Mogadishu on Thursday 1st of May 2014. The graduates were trained and examined at CAF licence ‘C’ course conducted in Mogadishu by Ulric Mathiot in August 2013. The instructor sent the results of the final examination to CAF which then sent the certificates of the 25 coaches who passed in both their theory and practical exams. This was the first time in Somalia’s football history that the CAF licence ‘C’ course was conducted in the country, as part of the joint CAF and Somali FA efforts to increase football knowledge in the war-ravaged country. Somali Football federation technical director Awil Ismail Mohamed who first addressed at the graduation ceremony said that Somalia was the last country to benefit from the CAF licence ‘C’ course due to the long-existing violence in the country. “As a technical director I am really very proud that all 25 coaches who took part in the course passed in their exams after the training conducted by FIFA and CAF expert Ulric Mathiot. I would like to

thank local instructors Mohamed Abdulle Farayare and Abdi Farah Geela who helped the expert” said SFF technical director Awil Ismail Mohamed. “It was the first such chance we ever had and it ended successfully as all our coaches promoted to CAF licence ‘C’ level. We are now on the way to chase the rest of African countries who had benefitted from such courses before” the technical director noted during his address at the graduation ceremony. Somali Football Federation Senior vice president Ali Abdi Mohamed added that local instructors were very praiseworthy for playing their role in enhancing the knowledge and experience of local coaches, but said that still there was a very long way ahead until Somalia will have secured its licence B and A from CAF. “You have now confirmed your success in getting CAF licence ‘C’ certificates, but that must not be the end for you, because we want you to work harder to approach B and A licences” the senior vice president told the graduates. For his part, the Somali Football Federation President Ali Said Guled Roble added that the CAF licence ‘C’ graduation for Somalia was a clear indication that the war-weary country was recovering from years of setbacks caused by the longrunning civil wars in the country. “Today you won your CAF licence ‘C’ certificates and it is the first time in our

history that Somalia have benefitted from such course, but we have to know that still it is far from end, because we need to promote from where we are at the moment—and I am very sure that we will be able to reach our target” SFF president told the graduating coaches. “You have earned more knowledge not only for yourself, but for the whole country, so we want you to pass what you have learned onto young boys and girls across the country” the president said before handing over the microphone to Somali NOC executive committee member and NOCSOM president’s representative Ibrahim Hussein Ali (Roombe). “On the behalf of Somali NOC president Abdullahi Ahmed Tarabi, I would like to congratulate Somali Football Federation on the successive activities it has been carrying out in the country. It really gives me a great pleasure to witness such number of young Somali men graduate from CAF licence ‘C’ course” Mr. Ibrahim Hussein Ali (Roombe) told the graduation ceremony. “You are 25 coaches and that is a very small number in comparison with our football-loving people, but if every one of you trains only 25 people every year, we will have over six hundred youngsters educated under football annually. Imagine how many talented players we can get in every year” the Somali NOC executive committee member Ibrahim Hussein Ali told the graduates.

CAF MOURNS FOR THE PASSING OF SOMALIAN LEGEND

t took ten years to Banadir Sports Club, to regain the title, as their commitment and dedication finally made their dreams come true, after the club exquisitely won the title for Somalia’s 2013-2014 Nation Link telecom championship. As there was still one match left for them to play, Banadir confirmed their title after thrashing Gaadiidka FC by 2-1 on 31st of March 2014. Banadir Sports Club could have won the trophy even if they drew that match, as what they needed to confirm their league tile was a single point, but on that day they fought harder than ever before trying to defend their ‘unbeaten’ record. Both teams exhibited a very professional and more competitive game, as Gaadiidka was running to escape from relegation to Division B, while Banadir Sports Club was committed to accumulating the three points that a win of a football match results in. The first half of the match ended in 0-0 equality, but in less than 10 minutes after the start of the second half Banadir made their first goal which was scored by their Nigerian striker Mustapha Maxwell Utangi in the 52ndminute of the match, while Marcel Samson Otugi (Kenya) did the second goal in the 54th minute of the second half of the match. Banadir Sports Club took over the title from Elman FC who won the trophy for the past two seasons. The former champions fired their young age coach Yusuf Ali Nur during the season, but that made no approach for them as they finished 2nd place with only 28 points while Banadir won the trophy with 34 points. Meanwhile, Banadir Sports Club fans celebrated their victory during a very colourful ceremony held at the club’s headquarters in the following night. The celebration which continued throughout the night of April 1st 2014 attracted thousands of fans who gathered at the open ground of the club’s compound where they exhibited folklore dancing while some sang songs including Somalia’s national anthem. Since Somalia fell into anarchy more than two decades ago, this was the biggest ever ceremony that local fans did to celebrate for such victory. The Club’s Chairman Abukar Mohamed Sheik talked to the fans and thanked them for their continued encouragement and support to the club.

resident of the confederation of African football (CAF) Issa Hayatou expressed his condolence to the people of Somalia and the East African Football community following the death of Somalia’s first national team captain Mohamed Qalaf Aden Shangole. The Somali Football Federation announced the death of Aden Shangole in Mogadishu on Tuesday, July 8 2014 “I received with sadness the news of the death of Mohamed Qalaf Aden Shangole, an icon and legend of the Somalia game who not only was the country’s first national team captain but went onto inspire many more players and Somalis with his contribution to the game behind his playing days” CAF president said. “On behalf of CAF and the continental family of football, I wish to express our deepest sympathy and condolence to you, to everyone at the Somali Football Association, CECAFA community and most importantly the family of Aden Shangole, his friends and loved ones” Hayatou said in his message of condolence to the Somali Football Federation and CECAFA secretary General Nicholas Musonye. “Kindly convert our message that the African football community remembers this legend of our game and stands by the family in this period of pain and mourning” CAF chief said in his condolence message.

SOMALI FOOTBALL FEDERATION | SOCCER MAGAZINE

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

EMERGED FROM THE ASHES, JEENYO UNITED MAKES TWO MAJOR APPROACHES IN 2014

SFF President Abdiqani Said Arab presents the trophy to Jeenyo United Captain Ahmed Tahliil

n what was one of the most zealous matches in Somalia’s recent history, one of the country’s oldest football clubs, Jeenyo United had made their second major approach since they were revived in 2012 after they won the Somali Supper cup. In a hotly-contested match that attracted tens of thousands of fans from various destinations in the country on 12 December 2014, Jeenyo United beat their Banadir Sports Club rivals by 5-4 in penalties after the normal time ended in 2-2 draw. Sponsored by the country’s largest Network provider Hormuud Telecom, the match was played at Banadir Stadium which was redecorated by FIFA in 2013. Somali Football Federation president Abdiqani Said Arab who addressed at the closing ceremony of the 2014 supper cup match thanked Hormuud Telecom for taking the decision to encourage football promotion in the country. “Football is now booming in Somalia and it gives me a great pleasure to see Hormuud Telecom having full involvement in football and on the behalf of Somali Football Federation I am fully lauding for such constructive decision taken by Hormuud Telecom” SFF President Abdiqani Said Arab told the media during his speech.

“I also would like to welcome Coca-Cola branch in Somalia and Salaam Bank for joining hands with us in the promotion of Football in Somalia” the president continued to say. The president said that the role played by local media in covering Somali Football activities in the country and the greater cooperation they developed with SFF media department were hugely appreciated. The supper cup trophy was the second major success for Jeenyo United since they rejoined into Somali football platform early in 2012. So far the club won the country’s 2014 General Da’ud cup. The supper cup is always contested by the league winners and the winners of General Da’ud cup. Banadir Sports Club’s young player Ga’al Farah has been crowned as the man of the Supper cup match. Founded in 1948, Jeenyo United FC disappeared in the aftermath of the collapse of Somalia in 1991, but they were revived in March 2012, several weeks before the death of former Somali FA president Said Mahmoud Nur, who on March 11, 2012 welcomed the old club into the field of football after more than two decades of absence.

OVER 300 PLAYERS SHORTLISTED FROM INTER-SCHOOLS SOCCER TOURNEY.

total of 2,400 students {14-17 years of age} representing 128 secondary schools participated in the 2014 Somali Inter-schools football tournament which was won by Adult secondary school boys. Organized by Somali Football Federation with the assistance from Plasma University, the competition was the biggest of its kind ever held in Somalia and was named after {Plasma inter-schools football tournament}. The competition which was under way at Banadir Stadium for months came to an end on 11th of December 2014 and was won by the ADULT secondary school when they beat their Daalo rivals by 4-2 in penalties after the normal time and the extra period ended in 2-2 draw. Experts from the SFF technical department shortlisted some 315 players from the competition and as shown in the SFF strategic plans, special development program was drawn for the young boys who will continue

their training sessions under SFF’s ‘Develop the game’ program. Addressing the closing ceremony, the deputy chairman of Plasma University Professor Mohamed Sheik Omar, said he was very happy that his university became the first higher education regulatory body in Somalia to financially support such historic competition, adding he was very hopeful that the co-operation between his university and Somali Football Federation will grow bigger in the years to come. “On behalf of my university, I want to declare that Plasma University will be a partner with Somali Football Federation in the promotion of football in the country—already our partnership started as we had helped finance the competition” said Professor Mohamed Sheik Omar. Radio GOOLFM, which is partner with Somali Football Federation had given much time in covering the event, which was the biggest schools tourney organized in Somalia.

Main objectives for holding such competition Somali Football Federation president Abdiqani Said Arab said that his federation has great many objectives in organizing such historical tournament. He said the objectives include: • To hunt young and talented players from educational institutions. • To strengthen relations and co-operations between Somali FA and those involved in education. • To help youths at schools get the opportunity to enjoy in football which help them in both mentally and physically be fit and stronger. • To make sporting programs for school children out of their school periods to protect them from falling into the hands of notorious warmongers or from becoming drug addicts. The SFF president said the organization of the tournament was part of his federation’s policy to organize such programme for the youths specially those at high schools, adding that the SFF will continue holding such a competition. SOMALI FOOTBALL FEDERATION | SOCCER MAGAZINE

Clubs in the league

DREAMS COME TRUE, AS SOMALIA EXPANDS ITS FOOTBALL LEAGUE Banadir Sports Club

omalia realises its dreams to have a broadened football league, as the country’s Nation Link Telecom championship, has now grown from eight to ten clubs in participation. The Somali Football Federation inaugurated the expanded football league which saw Elman FC defeating their Horseed FC rivals by 3-2 in the opening match on 19th of December 2014. The expansion of the country’s most populous sporting event is a sign for the implementation of the pledges made by the Somali Football Federation President Abdiqani Said Arab upon assuming the position on 31st of August 2014. Ahmed Abdi Dini, managing director of Nation Link Telecom whose company is in partnership with Somali Football Federation said it was a great publicity for his company to have a greater involvement in football. “The cooperation between Somali Football federation and Nation Link Telecom dates back to 2007 and since then Nation Link Telecom has been joining hands with the SFF in the promotion of football in our country” Mr. Dini explained. Somali Football Federation president Abdiqani Said Arab thanked Nation Link Telecom, for unwaveringly showing willingness to continue their involvement in Somali football.

Dekedda He said the increase of the league participation was in one respect part of the football development and in the other was intended to create more interesting and more competitive league with respect to the will of Somali community who are mostly football-loving people. “A total of 19 foreign players, representing 6 clubs are now playing in the league. “This would mean that football in Somalia was becoming more popular and even attracting the attention of international professionals” president Abdiqani Said Arab said during his opening address. He urged other business companies in Somalia to follow Nation Link’s footsteps by joining hands with the Federation in the promotion of football for peace in the country.

Elman FC

“On the behalf of SFF, I would like to invite all Somali-owned companies to come and display their businesses here without any preconditions, because we want them to feel how football is stronger to promote their businesses” the president added before announcing the competition was open. The inaugural match of the league attracted top government officials including Somali Army chief of staff Major General Dahir Aden Emli, whose Horseed FC was defeated in the opening match.

Gaadiidka SOMALI FOOTBALL FEDERATION | SOCCER MAGAZINE

Clubs in the league

Heegan

Horseed

Jeenyo United

Clubs in the league

Sahafi FC

Savana FC

Somali Fruit SOMALI FOOTBALL FEDERATION | SOCCER MAGAZINE

SFF HAILS THE ELECTION OF LOCAL FOOTBALL COMMITTEE IN SOUTHERN JUBBA REGION

SFF PRESENTS SOCCER EQUIPMENT TO LOWER JUBBA REGION’S FOOTBALL COMMITTEE

omali Football Federation has handed over football equipment to the elected local football committee of the southern Lower Jubba region.

SFF senior vice president Ali Abdi Mohamed presented the equipment to the region’s football committee secretary General Ahmed Farah Tima Jilic during his visit to SFF headquarters in Mogadishu on December 30 2014. “On the behalf of the entire people of my region, I would like to thank Somali Football Federation for this generous donation which will help us realise our dreams to promote football in the region---we promise that our committee will implement the SFF police toward regional football promotion in our area” the Lower Jubba football committee Secretary General Ahmed Farah Tima Jilic said upon receiving the equipment.

he Somali Football Federation has fully accepted and welcomed the election of Mr. Abdullahi Duale Mohamed as the chairman of the local football committee of the Southern Lower Jubba region. Mr. Mohamed got 4 votes out of the 5 votes casted in the election to replace former regional football committee chairman Mr. Burhan Mohmoud Hassan who served as an interim leader for a period of one year and democratically left office after finishing his term in office. His challenger Suleyman Abdi Bedel got only one vote. Somali Football Federation Secretary General Hassan Mohamed Mohamud witnessed the election that brought in Mr Mohamed and members of his committee and was held in the region’s provincial capital Kismayo on 25th of December 2014. Somali Football Federation senior vice president Ali Abdi Mohamed said in a press statement in the following day that the SFF was fully lauding for the result of the election and praised the regional governmental authorities for their commitment to working with the new football committee.

Somali Football Federation Secretary General Hassan Mohamed Mohamud praised the elected officials in the region for their determination and commitment to football promotion in the Lower Jubba region. “After considering the report by our representative at the election which brought together football volunteers from the region’s 5 districts who democratically elected their local football committee, the Somali FA is happy to welcome the election of Chairman Abdullahi Duale Mohamed and his committee” SFF senior vice president Ali Abdi Mohamed said. He urged other regions in the country to follow such good example adding that such exercise was part of the SFF’s ‘spread the football’ policy that has so far yielded positive results in many areas.

“I am sure that with the assistance from SFF, the passionate football officials of Lower Jubba football committee will be able to achieve more during their term in office and SFF is promising to be by their side” Mr. Mohamud added. On his part, Somali Football Federation Senior Vice president Ali Abdi Mohamed said the SFF was delighted to have local football committee active in a region. “At SFF we say, if you are awake, SFF pushes you forward, this would mean if any region is awake and wants to go ahead, we will help them, but if they are sleeping we cannot make them awake” SFF senior vice president said adding that the Lower Jubba region’s people and their football officials were fully awake and will always attract SFF attention.

“I hope the elected officials will redouble their efforts to promote football in the region and SFF is pledging to give more attention to the region” the senior vice president added. SFF praised the region’s former football committee boss Mr. Burhan Mohamud Hassan for accomplishing a plenty of wok in a very short period he served. Earlier, the minister for public services of the semiautonomous regional state of Jubba Land, Moalim Mohamed supported the outcome of the election and insisted that his regional state will do its utmost to help the newly elected regional football committee. SOMALI FOOTBALL FEDERATION | SOCCER MAGAZINE

UAFA PRESIDENT OPENS NEW WINDOW OF GREATER COOPERATION WITH SOMALIA

SFF president Abdiqani Said Arab {right} pictured with UAFA president Sheik Turki Bin Khalid Bin Faisal Al Saud {middle}

he President elected of the Union of Arab Football Associations (UAFA) Sheik Turki Bin Khalid Bin Faisal Al Saud, opened a new window of cooperation with Somali Football Federation. The UAFA leader made the cooperation pledge during a brief talk with Somali Football Federation President Abdiqani Said Arab, at the end of UAFA election congress here in Riyad, the capital of Saudi Arabia on 21st of November 2014. SFF president, Abdiqani Said Arab, congratulated Sheik Turki Bin Khalid Bin Faisal Al Saud, on his election as the president of the football’s

governing body of the Arab world. “The president was very pleased with Somalia’s appearances at football-related gatherings across the world and in particularly that of the Union of Arab Football Associations” SFF president Abdiqani Said Arab told SFF magazine at the end of the congress. The elected president of the Union of Arab Football Associations, Sheik Turki Bin Khalid Bin Faisal Al Saud, on his side lauded for the recent election congress of Somali Football Federation, which brought in Mr. Abdiqani Said Arab as the president of SFF.