By HAN News Desk
RIYADH — Somalia’s Minister of Youth and Sports, Mohamed Abdulkadir Ali, has met with his Saudi counterpart, Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal, the Minister of Sports of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, during an official visit to Riyadh aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation between the two countries.
The meeting concluded with the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) focused on rebuilding and upgrading sports infrastructure in Somalia and promoting programs for youth empowerment, skills training, and job creation. The agreement is seen as a significant step toward revitalizing Somalia’s youth and sports sector, which has faced years of underdevelopment due to conflict and limited investment.
According to officials from both ministries, the new partnership will include technical support for the rehabilitation of sports facilities, including football stadiums, training centers, and community spaces that can engage young people in constructive activities. It will also cover capacity-building initiatives to train Somali youth in areas such as coaching, sports management, entrepreneurship, and vocational skills.
Minister Mohamed Abdulkadir Ali expressed his gratitude to the Saudi government for its continued support to Somalia, describing the agreement as a “milestone in Somalia’s journey toward empowering its young generation through sports, education, and employment opportunities.”
For his part, Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s commitment to working closely with Somalia to promote youth engagement, cultural exchange, and the development of sports as a tool for peace and social cohesion.
The Somali minister’s visit to Riyadh is part of a broader diplomatic mission to strengthen Somalia’s relations with Arab League member states. During his stay, he is expected to hold additional meetings with his counterparts from several Arab countries to explore further opportunities for cooperation in youth development, sports diplomacy, and education programs.
The Somali government has recently prioritized youth engagement as part of its national strategy to combat unemployment, radicalization, and social exclusion. With over 70% of Somalia’s population under the age of 30, officials say such international partnerships are critical to building a stable and productive future for the country.
The new deal with Saudi Arabia, analysts note, underscores Somalia’s growing diplomatic presence in the Gulf region and highlights Riyadh’s increasing interest in supporting reconstruction and development projects in the Horn of Africa.
