Monday November 3, 2025
Mogadishu (HOL) — The Somali Ministry of Youth and Sports
has suspended the President and Secretary-General of the Somali Olympic
Committee (SOC), Ahmed Abdi Hassan Wataac and Mohamed Abdow Haaji, over alleged
misconduct.
In a statement issued on Monday, the ministry said the
decision followed preliminary findings from an internal investigation, which
indicated that the two officials had engaged in actions contrary to the rules,
ethics, and governance principles of the national sports body.
According to the ministry, their conduct undermined trust
between the ministry and the Olympic Committee’s sub-committees.
“This step is intended to strengthen the transparency,
accountability, and independence of Somali sports organizations,” said Minister
of Youth and Sports Mohamed Abdulqadir Ali.
Attempts to reach Chairman Wataac for comment were
unsuccessful. However, he later said he would respond to the allegations at an
appropriate time.
Wataac and Haaji were elected to their respective positions
a year ago during the ninth Somali Olympic Committee elections, serving
four-year terms.
The Somali Olympic Committee elects its leadership, which
includes a president, a secretary-general, and vice presidents.