Mr. Ngoufonja became the highest-ranking FIFA official to
ever arrive in Somalia and his tour to the war-devastated country has been
recognized by the SFF as ‘a significant’ step forward for the country’s
football progression.
Before flying back to FIFA home on Friday, Mr. Zelkifli Ngoufonja
and Somali FA president Abdiqani Said Arab held a joint press conference to update
the media on the football development in the country and how FIFA was turning
much attention to Somalia.
Somali Football Federation President Abdiqani Said Arab said that the reason for the arrival of the senior FIFA official was mainly to see the progress on the ground and study Somalia’s current needs,
He added that FIFA sent the official with the request
from his federation which asked the world body to come and see what was going
on in Somalia after years of bloody conflicts.
He said the visit was the first of its kind by a
top-ranking FIFA official to the country in Somalia’s football history.
"Such a historic visit by our brother Zelkifli Ngoufonja to
Somalia was very important for us at the moment, because he studied much about
the development programs implemented so far and as well as the huge needs
we currently have” SFF president told
the media.
He said that today FIFA realized that Somalia changed a
lot and the security situation in the country was improving, after Zelkifli
Ngoufonja has travelled different locations and enjoyed the beautiful weather
in the country.
"I thank our brother Zelkifli Ngoufonja for accepting to
come to Somalia and his arrival here will actually open the doors for more FIFA
presence in Somalia” SFF president Abdiqani Said Arab explained.
During 2015, FIFA will implement more development
programs in Somalia including the construction of the SFF headquarters, technical
centre and as well as the construction of a new soccer facility. The president displayed hundreds of footballs which he
said were part of the additional FIFA assistance to Somalia.
"These footballs are intended for the country’s football
development and we will provide them with the clubs, regions” the president
said adding that the footballs will also be used for youth development and as
well as grassroots programs across the country.
On his side, FIFA senior manager for Africa development
Mr. Zelkifli Ngoufonja, said he was very fortunate and even honoured to be in
Somalia.
"Before I arrived in Somalia, I didn’t know about Somalia
apart from the president and members of the executive committee and some Somali
friends I have abroad, but know I have more experience about Somalia” Mr.
Zelkifli Ngoufonja said thanking the Somali FA officials and the people of
Somalia for the high profile welcome he received during his stay in the
country.
"I got to Somalia and I fell in love with Somalia,
because of the nice weather and the good hospitality the SFF extended to me” he
said.
"My arrival here in Somalia, for us it was to send a
message to the people of Somalia to show them that they haven’t been forgotten
by the football family—it has been a long time to come to Somalia, but I am
happy that we are finally here after a very long time of absence” the senior
FIFA official noted.
He said that during the two days he was in the country,
it was a very good opportunity for both FIFA and Somali FA to discuss on
various projects which will be implemented in Somalia in the future.
"There are a number of FIFA services we could not
implement in Somalia, because we didn’t know how the situation in Somalia was, but
now we have much better vision about the security situation in Somalia and as well
as the football environment and the community in general” he added.
"I watched one of the league matches and I really enjoyed
it” he continued.
He appreciated the cooperation between Somali government
and Somali Football Federation, saying it was helping the promotion of football
in Somalia.
"It was good to see the president of the republic of
Somalia coming to the stadium and watching a football game last year—we are
happy that Somali government is doing well to support the federation and I urge
for the strengthening of such a beautiful cooperation” the FIFA official
explained.
Alongside Somali FA officials, Mr. Zelkifli Ngoufonja walked
on foot from his hotel to the airport to show the world that the security
situation in Somalia was improving. The officials walked a distance of 600meters
from the hotel to the airport.
Mr Zelkifli Ngoufonja was seen off at the airport by
Somali FA president Abdiqani Said Arab, his senior Vice president Ali Abdi
Mohamed and members of the executive committee.
Somali
Football Federation Media Department