The Somali government has made a vow to revive sport especially football in parts of the country ‘scared’ by the insurgency driven by the militant sect al-Shabaab, APA can report on Tuesday. With the country reeling from a 26-year insurgency, much of the infrastructure in rural Somalia lay in ruins including sport complexes.

It was with a view to rebuilding sport infrastructure that Prime Minister Hamse Abdi Barre held talks with the Minister of Youth and Sports, Mohamed Barre Mohamud and the election committee of the Somali Football Federation.

PM Barre spoke with the sports officials about several important issues regarding the election of the next head of the Somali FA which is expected to be held soon and how to create opportunities for the youth in the areas liberated from the Khawarij, a derogatory term for the al-Shaab militants, meaning sacrilege which was introduced in November last year.

He said holding a transparent and fair election, in accordance with established laws of the football administration will go a long way to give a new lease on life for sport in the country. 

According to him, this would inspire hope among young Somalis who have been disadvantaged and disoriented by decades of conflict and lost opportunities to excel in sport.

Barre said sports ministry and the Somali FA will look to organize sporting events and social interaction with young people in areas liberated from the insurgents where playgrounds will be built.