MOGADISHU — A Somali international referee has paid tribute to a former senior Somali football refereeing official, crediting him with playing a crucial role in his journey to becoming a professional match official.
In a heartfelt message, the referee described the late official as a mentor and supporter who changed the course of his life by encouraging him to pursue a career in football officiating.
The referee recalled that while he was still a student in Djibouti, the former official personally reached out, took him by the hand and introduced him to the world of refereeing, providing guidance and support at a critical stage of his development.
He said that, after Allah’s blessing, the late official and other individuals who supported him were among the main reasons he was able to achieve his current position in international football.
The former Somali refereeing leader was killed in Mogadishu in August 2017, only four months before the referee he had supported officially became an international referee.
The tribute highlighted the important role of mentors in Somali sports, particularly those who invest in young talent and create opportunities for future generations.
Members of the Somali football community expressed their condolences and remembered the late official as a dedicated figure who contributed to the growth and development of football refereeing in Somalia.
“May Allah widen his grave, grant him mercy and bless him with Paradise,” the message concluded.
