By Asha Elmi - Reporter
MOGADISHU, Somalia (Dawan Africa) – Somalia’s Minister of Youth and Sports, Mohamed Abdulkadir, has called for a review of the legal and institutional framework governing the Somali Olympic Committee, arguing that reforms are necessary to strengthen transparency, accountability and good governance in the country’s sports sector.
Speaking on Miizaan Podcast, produced by Dawan Media, Abdulkadir said the committee’s founding documents and internal regulations should be reassessed to ensure they reflect Somalia’s current realities and uphold principles of fairness and equal opportunity.
The minister said certain provisions in the committee’s governing framework require clarification, including discrepancies between the Somali- and English-language versions of its regulations.
He noted that the Somali Olympic Committee was established during a period when state institutions had largely collapsed, and said it played an important role in reviving sports and promoting national unity in the aftermath of conflict.
However, Abdulkadir argued that Somalia’s evolving institutional landscape now requires a comprehensive review of the system to ensure sports bodies are governed effectively and operate in the interests of athletes and the wider public.
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“The sports system must serve all Somalis fairly and equally,” he said, adding that leadership positions should be filled by individuals with relevant experience in sports, management or institutional administration.
The minister also questioned rules that could allow individuals without a proven background in sports to occupy senior leadership positions, saying experience, competence and contribution to the sector should be key considerations.
Abdulkadir stressed that the government’s objective is not to target individuals but to strengthen institutions, modernise governance and improve the overall management of sports in Somalia.
The Somali Olympic Committee operates under the international Olympic movement, which recognises the autonomy of National Olympic Committees in line with the Olympic Charter. Any reforms affecting its governance would require consultation with the relevant sports authorities and stakeholders.
The minister’s remarks come as Somalia seeks to strengthen its sports institutions, improve governance standards and expand the country’s participation in regional and international sporting competitions.