Somali FA concludes youth refereeing course

The Somali Football Federation (SFF) recently concluded a successful youth refereeing course conducted under FIFA’s guidance. In total, 24 young referees passed in all sessions of the training course and were awarded with their certificates. The officials will now prepare for the 2017 edition of the domestic youth football league which is scheduled to kick off later this month.

This was the second course of its kind that FIFA has overseen in the country in the past six months, with significant progress made at the initial session in November 2016.

“FIFA is very  pleased with the youth development in Somalia and that is why Somalia has been awarded with the second course for youth referees,” Ali Mohamed Ahmed, FIFA instructor, told the closing ceremony. “To participate in a course makes no difference, but the most important thing is that [the referees] accordingly practice what [they] have learned in the field of play during competitions. Every one of [them] is an ambassador and we want [them] to pass your knowledge to other colleagues in [their] home states.”

The course was well received by participants, including Warsame Ahmed Gaabshe, a referee from the Puntland state of Somalia.

“First I would like to thank Somali Football Federation for the organisation of such courses every year,” Gaabshe said. “I am delighted to have attended such a high level course and I promise to exercise what I have learned back in my region.”

The FIFA youth refereeing course for Somalia was conducted by International technical instructor, Ali Mohamed Ahmed, and was assisted by local fitness instructor, Abdi Abdulla Ahmed (Baasaale).

This was only the second time that Somali nationals have been able to conduct a FIFA level course, with foreign instructors previously sent to teach in Somalia.