Somalia has officially inaugurated the first ever football league for children under the age of 15 who have gained the opportunity to enjoy a domestic football league of their own.

"Thanks to FIFA for helping us to introduce such a beautiful football tournament for our children” Somali Football Federation president, Abdiqani Said Arab, said in a press statement on Tuesday. The president added that without the financial assistance and equipment from the world football’s governing body FIFA, the maiden league launch wouldn’t have been successful.

"With the help from FIFA’s youth development programs, the youth football tournament will be organized annually” the president said adding that it was an interesting experience that the competition is the first to be hosted at Somali FA’s FIFA-funded new technical centre.

The president mentioned that young age referees and coaches who were trained under FIIFA’s youth development programs are the resources of the tournament, as young coaches are leading the participating teams whilst young age referees will be officiating the matches throughout the tournament which will last for nearly six months.

"One of the most important objectives for this youth tournament is to educate children through football in a bid to produce talented and young players who can represent our U-17, U-20 and all the way to the senior national team in the near future” SFF president Abdiqani Said Arab, explained in his press release on Tuesday.

The competition which brought together 12 youth teams is being managed by the SFF youth development committee and was officially opened by Somali Football Federation president, Abdiqani Said Arab on Friday 9^thof September.

Somali Football Federation Media Department

Email:info@somsoccer.com