Ministry of Youth and Sports (Somaliland)

Prior to the establishment of a dedicated Ministry of Youth and Sports in 2000, sports and youth affairs were managed under the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports (MOEYS).^[3] In 1997, in collaboration with UNICEF, a four-day educational workshop was held in Hargeisa focusing on physical education, recreation, and sports training.^[3]

The Ministry of Youth & Sports was established on 20 February 2000.^[1]

In July 2002, reports indicated that the football stadium in the Borama district had deteriorated into a waste dumping site, leading to public appeals for the government and the Ministry of Youth and Sports to rehabilitate the facility. During the same period, formal requests were directed to the Ministry and the national Olympic committee to include the Gabiley district in the upcoming inter-regional sports tournaments.^[4]

In 2004, the Somaliland Ministry of Youth and Sports organized a two-day coordination meeting in Burao for youth organizations in the Togdheer region. The meeting was aimed at strengthening cooperation with youth in the area, improving information sharing among agencies working with youth groups, and developing action plans for youth activities in the region.^[5]

In 2011, the ministry held its first major tournament, a Multi-sport event between the regions of the country called Somaliland Regional Games at Alamzey Stadium in Burao.^[6]

According to a report published in September 2014 by the international NGO Progressio, the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Tourism was evaluated as possessing a "medium to high" level of power because it represented the country's large youth demographic. However, its interest in inclusive decision-making and transparent processes was assessed as "low to medium." The report noted that the Ministry's activities were primarily focused on organizing inter-regional sports events, and female youth were not being adequately considered.^[7]

In October 2015, the Minister of Youth and Sports resigned from his position. The media speculated that the resignation stemmed from a dispute between the Ministry of Sports and the Ministry of Finance, following the latter's refusal to release funds requested for a sports tournament. Although the Minister denied these speculations when questioned by the press, he confirmed his departure from the cabinet. Having been at the top of the parliamentary waiting list since a seat became vacant a year earlier, the Minister became a Member of Parliament immediately following his resignation.^[8]

In March 2020, the media claimed that most sports competitions in the country were funded by private companies or individuals. The Ministry of Youth and Sports explained that 90% of the tournaments held across various regions are financed by the state budget under its management. However, it acknowledged that private companies do provide financial support for certain expenses.^[9]

In December 2020, Somaliland's first regional women's football tournament was planned as a seven-day event, featuring six teams representing all six regions of the country. However, the Ministry of Youth and Sports cancelled the tournament, citing "strong public backlash" on the grounds that it was "inconsistent with Islamic values and norms." The decision sparked intense anger among women's rights advocacy groups.^[10]