The Somali Ministry of Youth and Sports has resolved the leadership crisis in the Somali Football Federation (SFF), which has been facing uncertainty since the controversial parallel leadership elections held in late February. After months of factional infighting and uncertainty, Ali Shiino has been officially recognized as the chairman. A ceremony to unite the conflicting parties within the SFF and end the current dispute will be held soon. Mohamed Barre, the Minister of Sports for the Somali government, confirmed that 80% of the conflict that arose during the SFF leadership election had been resolved.
In addition, Barre announced that his office is working on a national sports policy to guide athletics in Somalia. This policy is expected to address the issues that have plagued the sports sector in Somalia, including poor infrastructure, lack of funding, and limited opportunities for athletes.
In late February, two parallel elections were held in Mogadishu to elect the football federation’s leader, with Ali Abdi Mohamed Ali Shiino and Adan Haji Yabarow Wiish competing against each other. This election cast doubt on the future of the Somali Football Association, but now a solution appears to have been found.
That same month, Somalia’s U-17 National Football Team called on President Mohamud and Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre to resolve the impasse in the SFF leadership election, which threatened the Somali U-17 team’s participation in the upcoming TotalEnergies U-17 African Cup of Nations.
The Ministry of Internal Security suspended the SFF leadership election, which was scheduled earlier in February, following concerns from the Ministry of Youth and Sports that SFF members were planning to hold two competing “parallel” elections. The impasse also raised the prospect of FIFA suspending Somalia’s membership, with the international governing body warning against government interference in the country’s football affairs.
However, with FIFA’s recognition of Ali Shiino as the new head of the SFF, it seems the leadership dispute has finally been resolved. FIFA President Gianni Infantino congratulated Ali Shiino on his electoral victory and expressed confidence in his leadership, knowledge, and experience. He also pledged FIFA’s support to help develop football in Somalia.
The resolution of the dispute within the SFF is expected to bring stability to the organization, which has been plagued by infighting and mismanagement. Football is one of the most popular sports in Somalia, and the SFF is responsible for organizing various leagues, tournaments, and national teams, including the Somali Premier League, the Somalia Cup, and the Somalia national football team. The organization is currently preparing for the upcoming African Cup of Nations in Algeria from April 29 to May 19, where it will field its U-17 football squad.
