Friday February 17, 2023
Mogadishu (HOL) - Somalia's U-17 National Football Team has called on President Mohamud and Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre to resolve the impasse in the Somali Football Federation (SFF) leadership election.
The Ministry of Internal Security suspended the SFF leadership election, which was scheduled earlier this month, following concerns from the Ministry of Youth and Sports that SFF members were planning to hold two competing "parallel" elections.
On Thursday, the U-17 National Football Team spoke to local television in Mogadishu and urged Minister Mohamed Barre not to jeopardize their participation in the TotalEnergies U17 African Cup of Nations Algeria 2023, which is scheduled to take place from April 29 to May 19, 2023. The opening match will see hosts Algeria play Somalia on Saturday, April 29, at the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Algiers at 20:00 local time (19:00 GMT).
"If you lead our future, we want to participate in the league in Algeria," said Abdihafid Abdi, a star player known for scoring goals during the Council for East and Central African Football Associations (CECAFA) in Ethiopia last October.
Another player stated that they were preparing to participate in the competition in Algeria, but they believe there are impediments caused by the administration. Specifically, he accused the minister and added, "We are asking the president and the prime minister to solve it."
"We are requesting not to be neglected. We come to a training field every day at 2:00 pm, but we are not given a bus ride or water to drink; instead, we pay for ourselves. We want to bring honour to our country and need your help. We are requesting that the President and Prime Minister resolve the election dispute," said one player.
Another player emphasized that they were required to be in camp for the final preparations and play friendly games at this time. He said, "It is terrible to be told that our participation in the competition is in jeopardy. The minister should have been standing by us, not playing with our hopes."
Somalia's sports ministry recommended suspending the vote to protect the integrity of the elections.
Earlier this month, Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre urged Minister of Youth Mohamed Barre and the SSF election committee to ensure transparency and censuses by following Somali Football Federation (SFF) rules.
Hamza stated a high demand for players from the U-17 National Football Team, which won its first Council for East and Central African Football Associations (CECAFA) title in October.
The SFF is the governing body responsible for developing and promoting football in Somalia. The SFF organizes various leagues, tournaments, and national teams, including the Somali Premier League, the Somalia Cup, and the Somalia national football team.