Prime Minister Hamza Hails Ocean Queens Before CECAFA Cup

MOGADISHU – Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre has congratulated Somalia’s women’s national football team, the Ocean Queens, as they prepare to compete for the country at the CECAFA Women’s Cup in Tanzania. The tournament will be the first time in decades that Somalia enters a women’s national team in a major regional event.

The Prime Minister called the team’s participation a historic turning point for Somali sports and a sign of the resilience, resolve, and persistence of Somali athletes and sports officials who have worked to rebuild the sector after years of difficulties.

“This accomplishment shows the strength of the Somali spirit and proves that with commitment and perseverance, dreams once considered out of reach can be realized,” the Prime Minister said.

He said Somalia’s expanding role in regional and international sports is reflected in the accomplishments of athletes who have represented the country on the world stage, including internationally recognized referee Omar Artan and boxer Ramla Ali.

Artan made history when he was named the 2025 CAF Men’s Referee of the Year at the awards ceremony in Rabat, Morocco, becoming the first Somali to reach the pinnacle of African refereeing. He was later selected as the first Somali referee to officiate at a FIFA World Cup tournament, a milestone that President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud described as a “valuable achievement” that demonstrates the capability of the Somali youth.

Boxing star Ramla Ali, who fled Somalia as a child during the civil war, has since become a global icon. She made history as the first athlete to represent Somalia in boxing at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and was hailed by the Minister of Youth and Sports as a “symbol of national pride” during her first return to her homeland in three decades.

Government and Federation Praise Ocean Queens

Prime Minister Hamza praised the Somali Football Federation (SFF), coaches, officials, and all stakeholders whose work enabled the Ocean Queens to take part, calling it a significant step toward widening opportunities for women and girls in sports.

The SFF has been investing heavily in women’s football, turning the pitch into a space of transformation. In a country where cultural and social norms have long restricted women’s participation in sports, the federation has used football to foster inclusion, confidence, and community. The SFF launched a nationwide awareness campaign, holding workshops and dialogues with parents and community leaders. According to FIFA, the initiative has already shifted perceptions across several regions, encouraging more families to support their daughters’ athletic ambitions.

He said the team’s historic participation in the tournament would motivate young Somali girls nationwide to follow their ambitions and contribute to the country’s future through sports and other areas.

The Prime Minister urged the Ocean Queens to play with confidence, unity, and pride, stressing that they carry the hopes and expectations of the Somali people as they represent the nation at the regional level.

A Milestone for Somali Women’s Football

The Ocean Queens are set to face some of East Africa’s strongest teams at the CECAFA Women’s Cup, a tournament that opens a new chapter in the growth of women’s football in Somalia. According to tournament fixtures, the Ocean Queens have been drawn in Group A alongside hosts Tanzania, Kenya, and Sudan. The competition is scheduled to take place from June 13 to 23 in Dar es Salaam.

The regional tournament marks the first time in decades that Somalia has fielded a senior women’s national team in an official regional competition. The development follows the SFF’s strategic efforts to rebuild women’s football from the grassroots level. In October 2025, the Somali national senior women’s team and the U-17 squad traveled to Djibouti for a series of friendly matches, marking an important milestone in the country’s effort to restore its place in international sports.

The CECAFA Women’s Cup 2026 features eight nations and serves as a key preparation ground for future continental and global qualifiers. For Somalia, participation alone is being celebrated as a victory, given the challenges the team faced in training, logistics, and societal acceptance. The government and the Somali Football Federation have pledged continued support for women’s sports, viewing the Ocean Queens as trailblazers who will inspire a new generation of female athletes.