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Despite challenges of nation building, few old football players are trying to get Somalis to play the beautiful game instead of fighting.
 Mogadishu, (insidesomalia.org) - More than 30 legendary former Somali Football players met in Mogadishu on Wednesday to discuss how to improve Somali Football which has suffered in the last 16 years.
The gathering, the biggest of its kind in Mogadishu was inspired by the latest match that the National Football team had played against Djibouti on 18th November in Djibouti where the Somali team was defeated 1-0. It was the first time that Djibouti’s national team won against Somalia. Despite the outcome, the match gave an opportunity for the nation to focus none life challenging issues.
Somalia’s football team suffers from no grass roots infrastructure, proper training facilities and lack of investment to compete at highest level. All the stadiums have been destroyed or are being used for other means; the national stadium is used as military base by Ethiopian Army. National Stadium looks like scene out of Lord of War with Nicolas Cage.
Compared to other countries in Africa whose players managed to break into best leagues such as in England’s Premiership and Spain’s La Liga, Somalia footballers don’t have opportunity to practice their trade at highest level.
Most of the Somali Football team take part in East & Central African play-offs and competition of the Arab league countries but with limited success.
Before the civil war Somalia had 8 big football teams with utmost experienced players and illustrious coaches. Those known celebrated Somali football clubs were: Horseed club, Mogadishu, Jeenyo, Wagad , Waxool, Batroolka, Badda, and Madbaca.
After the civil war all known football clubs collapsed and new clubs emerged and the best one is Elman Football Club sponsored by World Concern, an international NGO.
Elman Football is the only team being paid and the team tours around the regions of the country earning player with higher qualities to play for the team.
The elderly football icons who themselves influenced by ongoing conflict, unemployment and the social problems existing in Somalia had established an association to support Somali Football players.
As noted by the new chairman of the Union Abdulahi Siyad , former midfielder of Madbacadda team and a coach, the aim of this association is to acquire a strong Somali National team.
“Instead of fighting with guns, we are trying to give young people and country in general to put their energy on the field”.
In a country forgotten by world community, people such as Abdullahi Siyad are trying to piece together some normality and bring “hope”. It is highly admiring considering situation on the ground.
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