Somalia’s U-17 Team Celebrated After Historic CECAFA Tournament Success

MOGADISHU, Somalia — Speaker of Somalia’s House of the People, Abdikadir Mohamed Nur Jama, has hosted a ceremony to congratulate and encourage the country’s national under-17 football team following what he described as a historic achievement in the CECAFA U-17 tournament for East and Central African nations.

During the gathering on Saturday evening, Jama praised the young players for bringing honour and recognition to Somalia, describing them as national heroes whose achievement had given Somalis a moment of pride. He said the team had demonstrated skill, courage, unity and a strong commitment to the Somali flag on the pitch.

Jama expressed optimism that the players would go on to achieve greater success in regional, continental and international competitions, helping raise Somalia’s profile in the world of football. He also called on major companies and financially capable business leaders to invest more substantially in Somali sports, saying greater support was needed to improve team performance, nurture young talent and build a stronger future for the country’s sporting sector.

The ceremony was attended by the First Deputy Sergeant-at-Arms of the House of the People, the parliament’s secretary-general, several ministers — including the minister of youth and sports — lawmakers, officials from the Somali Football Federation and other dignitaries. The CECAFA U-17 tournament brings together youth national teams from countries in the Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations region.

Success at youth level can provide a platform for emerging players to develop their skills and progress towards senior international football. Jama’s remarks highlighted the importance of sustained investment and institutional support in helping young Somali athletes develop their potential and compete at higher levels.

During the gathering on Saturday evening, Jama praised the young players for bringing honour and recognition to Somalia, describing them as national heroes whose achievement had given Somalis a moment of pride.

He said the team had demonstrated skill, courage, unity and a strong commitment to the Somali flag on the pitch.

Jama expressed optimism that the players would go on to achieve greater success in regional, continental and international competitions, helping raise Somalia’s profile in the world of football.

He also called on major companies and financially capable business leaders to invest more substantially in Somali sports, saying greater support was needed to improve team performance, nurture young talent and build a stronger future for the country’s sporting sector.

The ceremony was attended by the First Deputy Sergeant-at-Arms of the House of the People, the parliament’s secretary-general, several ministers — including the minister of youth and sports — lawmakers, officials from the Somali Football Federation and other dignitaries.

The CECAFA U-17 tournament brings together youth national teams from countries in the Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations region. Success at youth level can provide a platform for emerging players to develop their skills and progress towards senior international football.