In an unprecedented move, Somali Football Federation on Sunday launched two youth football leagues at the same time. The Somali U-15 championship is a very new competition which will be taking place alongside the Domestic Youth Football league which is running for the 4th successive year.



A colourful opening ceremony for the two youth football leagues was held at the FIFA-rebuilt Banadir Stadium on Sunday afternoon in the presence of Somali Football Federation president Abdiqani Said Arab and other high profile officials.



"The increase of the number of football competitions we have in Somalia was one of the key development programs approved at the SFF executive committee meeting in February this year” president Abdiqani Said Arab, said in his address at the opening ceremony for the two youth competitions.





The Domestic Youth Football league which has been held every year since 2016 has attracted 14 teams represented by youthful boys aged 15-16 years, while the newly launched Somali U-15 championship brings together boys aged 12, 13 and 14 who are representing 10 clubs.



"In our Division One league, we have 10 clubs and we told each one of them to establish its own junior team so that they can train and educate young boys through football in a bid to produce well-trained and talented players for the Ocean Stars youth team and even to represent the clubs in national football competitions "SFF president Abdiqani Said Arab, said in his opening speech.



The president said that with this U-15 league in place, Somali Football Federation has increased the development programs for its clubs to help them reach more youthful boys, as football’s interest is hugely increasing in Somalia.











Somali Football Federation Media Department

Email:info@somsoccer.com



