In the far-flung county of Mandera, where vast landscapes stretch for miles and borders blur with neighboring nations, a different kind of story is unfolding—a story of football, talent, and peace. Principal Secretary Ismail Maalim is hosting a football tournament that promises to turn the region’s passionate youth into future stars while building bridges across communities often divided by differences.
This weekend, starting Saturday, September 14, 16 teams from across Mandera County will take to the field, kicking off a competition. This is no ordinary tournament. It’s an opportunity—a stage where young athletes, often overlooked due to Mandera’s remote location, can shine. Despite the county’s geographical challenges, it is a hotbed of talent across various sports. From the adrenaline-pumping world of athletics to the tactical battlefield of football, Mandera’s youth are proving that talent knows no borders.
One such talent is Abdikadir Abdulayi, a goalkeeper whose story is already inspiring a generation. Discovered during the Talanta Hela U-19 inter-county tournament, Abdikadir’s skills have caught the attention of national scouts. He is now being groomed for the national team, his journey a testament to the opportunities that initiatives like this tournament can unlock. Abdikadir’s rise from a local footballer to a future national star is proof that even in the farthest corners of the country, dreams do come true.
But for PS Maalim, this tournament is more than just football. It’s about fostering peace and unity in a region that has seen its fair share of challenges. By bringing together teams from across Mandera’s diverse communities, the tournament is leveraging the universal language of sports to heal divisions and create lasting bonds. On the field, players from different backgrounds come together, united by a shared goal—to win, but also to build a future where their talents can be recognized and rewarded.
As the tournament kicks off, the people of Mandera are watching closely. They see in it not just a game, but a path to a better tomorrow—a tomorrow where their youth can rise to the national stage, where communities can find peace through a shared love of sport, and where football isn’t just a pastime, but a catalyst for real, lasting change.
For the young footballers of Mandera, this tournament is their field of dreams. For PS Maalim, it’s an initiative that shows the true power of sports—to inspire, to unite, and to build a future where talent and peace go hand in hand.
