For 21 years, law and order was absent, unemployment rife and education limited in Somalia. This resulted in many young people being lured into militia groups such as Al Shabaab. Whilst Somalia’s capital has made huge strides in rehabilitating the city, residents in Warta Nabada district are worried by the growing number of idle, unemployed youth who chew the herbal stimulant “khat” and feel disenfranchised from society. To unite young people in healthy, positive recreation, the Transition Initiatives for Stabilization (TIS) programme is facilitating the rehabilitation of a sports centre.

A football field, changing rooms, canteen and bleachers, while only 90 per cent constructed, are already being used by the community who call it “their play field.” At 5:40 am everyday, over 100 Somalis come to play football in the new field. Previously, no one would play sports in Mogadishu because of security fears, but now the sports ground is used by young people from all over the district who all play together, bridging age and social divides.

Four sports clubs in Mogadishu, the Benadir Football Club, Midnimo, Mogadishu and Benadir Junior Club, all come to the centre every morning to train. In the afternoon, children ages 12–16 years also come to practice, eager to make the grade for one of the bigger teams. The local district administration is ensuring the centre is safe for players by providing police guards at every gate. This project increases citizens’ confidence in the local government.

“Now we have a secure place to train and play our matches. The stadium has security gates and we are guarded by the police so we can safely enjoy ourselves,” said Mustaf Sheikh, a member of Benadir Football Club.