MOGADISHU, Somalia (Banaadir24) — In a historic step toward expanding Somalia’s sporting landscape, the Somali Football Federation (SFF) has officially launched its first structured program for beach soccer, introducing training modules for coaches and referees under the federation’s flagship REACH Initiative.
The program, announced in Mogadishu on June 19, is aimed at laying the groundwork for Somalia’s inaugural national beach soccer tournament, which is expected to debut later this year.
“Beach soccer is not just a game—it’s an opportunity for youth engagement, community development, and sporting excellence,” said Ali Abdi Mohamed, President of the Somali Football Federation. “We are proud to be investing in a sport that reflects both our coastal identity and the passion of our people.”
The training, which will span several weeks, brings together aspiring referees and coaches from coastal regions including Banaadir, Lower Shabelle, and Puntland, where the country’s long Indian Ocean shoreline makes beach soccer a natural fit.
Funded in part by international partners and coordinated with FIFA’s technical outreach office in Nairobi, the REACH Initiative seeks to revive neglected or emerging forms of football in Somalia, especially those that offer accessible and low-cost participation for young athletes.
Somalia, long known for its resilience in the face of conflict and instability, has in recent years made strides in rebuilding its sports infrastructure. Traditional football has seen a resurgence, with domestic league matches now regularly broadcast on national TV. Officials now hope to replicate that momentum on the sand.
“This initiative will give Somali youth new role models and new pathways to success,” said Sahra Osman, a sports development officer with the Ministry of Youth and Sports. “We’re not just building a team—we’re building a movement.”
The training program includes modules on rules specific to beach soccer, player safety, tournament organizing, and conflict resolution. Participating coaches are also expected to help establish community beach leagues in their respective towns and districts.
While Somalia has yet to compete internationally in beach soccer, SFF officials say their long-term vision includes participation in CAF Beach Soccer Championships and the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup qualifiers, potentially within five years.
The program’s launch was met with enthusiasm from local communities, particularly in Mogadishu’s Liido Beach area, where informal matches are already a common sight.
“If we can organize and nurture that raw talent, Somalia could become a beach soccer powerhouse in East Africa,” said Mohamed Nur, a veteran coach who attended the training kickoff.
With growing international support and an ambitious vision, Somalia’s entry into the beach soccer scene may mark a new era for sports in a country eager to redefine itself beyond the headlines of war and hardship.
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