Somali Football’s Grassroots Revolution: New Beginnings in Kismayo
The sprawling beaches and bustling markets of Kismayo serve not just as the city’s identity but as a backdrop to its ever-budding football culture. Now, the heartbeat of this culture has found a renewed rhythm with the Somali Football Federation’s (SFF) inauguration of its second youth development centre. This latest initiative stands as a testament to the federation’s ambition of sowing the seeds of a structured grassroots system, reaching every corner of the nation.
“Our goal is to establish youth football development centres across all regions, and we are making great progress with Baidoa and now Kismayo,” commented SFF Senior Vice-President Ahmed Takal during the inauguration ceremony. These academies, he affirmed, are set to become cornerstones for Somali football’s bright future.
The centre will focus on nurturing talent in the Under-9, Under-13, and Under-15 age brackets, providing young players with a structured environment that fosters early development. One might wonder: How long before these youngsters become the next stars representing their country on global stages?
Walking through the bustling streets of Kismayo, 500 kilometers south of Mogadishu and proud capital of Jubbaland State, it is impossible not to sense the city’s rich football heritage. Once revered as a juggernaut in Somali football, it seems poised for resurgence. Takal reminisces about days gone by when this region was a revered ground for top-notch football players. “This region was once famous for football,” he noted. “Kismayo won the most trophies of Somalia’s regional football competitions. With the launch of this centre, I am hopeful that it will reclaim its status as a football powerhouse.”
The centre’s inauguration was graced by notable figures, including Jubbaland’s Minister for Youth and Sport, Abdirashid Abdirahman Amir, and Jubbaland Football Association Chairperson Ahmed Abdullahi Ahmed. These dignitaries illustrated their hopes and commitment to the project, with Amir stating, “Jubbaland is ready to fully collaborate with the Somali Football Federation to make this project a success.” A true collaboration of hopes and dreams.
This Kismayo facility mirrors the model of its predecessor in Baidoa, where football training is synergistically blended with structured education. It’s an approach that seems as crucial as nurturing talent itself. The SFF is also proactive in its approach, having launched a CAF License D coaching program with 30 budding coaches to ensure technical proficiency among players at these centers. Could this be the framework that ensures a seamless talent pipeline for national and international competitions?
At the Baidoa inauguration, SFF President Ali Abdi Mohamed echoed the importance of early investment in youth football. “If we want to compete at the highest level, we must start at the grassroots,” he asserted. These words resonate deeply, particularly considering Somalia’s recent achievements: the U-17 national team, famously known as the Junior Ocean Stars, has embarked on a commendable journey. With the Junior Ocean Stars qualifying for the 2025 TotalEnergies CAF Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, their performance holds the promise of possibly qualifying for the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar. Such prospects, undoubtedly, are the stuff of dreams and illustrate Somali football’s expansive vision.
However, amid these promising developments, one cannot overlook the existing challenges that Somali football faces, from lacking infrastructure to governance issues. Nevertheless, signs of resilience and commitment shine through the recent appointment of former election rival Wiish Yabarow as chairman of the referees’ committee — a move that portrays a commitment to strengthening leadership at every facet.
