The Somali Ministry of Youth and Sports has settled the leadership dilemma that has plagued the Somali Football Federation (SFF) since the contentious parallel leadership elections held in late February. Ali Shiino has been officially recognized as the chairman after months of factional infighting and ambiguity. A ceremony will be planned soon to bring the warring parties within the SFF together and put an end to the current issue. The Somali government’s Minister of Sports, Mohamed Barre, declared that 80% of the issue that erupted during the SFF leadership election had been settled.
Furthermore, Barre stated that his administration is developing a national sports strategy to oversee athletics in Somalia. This policy is expected to solve the challenges that have plagued Somalia’s sports sector, such as insufficient infrastructure, a lack of money, and a lack of chances for athletes.
In late February, two simultaneous elections for the football federation’s leader were place in Mogadishu, with Ali Abdi Mohamed Ali Shiino and Adan Haji Yabarow Wiish contending. This election raised concerns about the Somali Football Association’s future, but a solution appears to have been found.
That same month, Somalia’s U-17 National Football Team urged President Mohamud and Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre to resolve the SFF leadership election dispute, which threatened the Somali U-17 team’s participation in the upcoming TotalEnergies U-17 African Cup of Nations.
After concerns from the Ministry of Youth and Sports that SFF members were planning to stage two competing “parallel” polls, the Ministry of Internal Security canceled the SFF leadership election, which was set earlier in February. The standoff also raised the prospect of FIFA suspending Somalia’s membership, with FIFA warning against government meddling in the country’s football affairs.
However, with FIFA’s confirmation of Ali Shiino as the new SFF president, the leadership controversy appears to have been resolved. Gianni Infantino, FIFA President, congratulated Ali Shiino on his election victory and expressed confidence in his leadership, knowledge, and experience. He also promised FIFA’s assistance in developing football in Somalia.
The SFF’s dispute settlement is anticipated to offer stability to the organization, which has been plagued by infighting and mismanagement. Football is one of the most popular sports in Somalia, and the Somali Football Federation (SFF) is in charge of managing numerous leagues, tournaments, and national teams, such as the Somali Premier League, the Somalia Cup, and the Somalia national football team. The organization is now preparing for the forthcoming African Cup of Nations, which will take place in Algeria from April 29 to May 19, and will include its U-17 football squad.