Abudwak stadium
In Abudwak district of Galmudug State, football has always been more than a game. For years, it has been the main activity bringing young people together. Yet, despite having the highest number of football teams in the region, Abudwak lacked a proper place to play.
Matches were held on an open sandy field with no fence, no seating, and no basic facilities. Dust clouds rose with every kick, spectators crowded onto the pitch, and animals often crossed the field game. What should have been moments of joy frequently ended in arguments and fights.
Before the stadium, we used to play on an open sandy area. Games never ended peacefully. Supporters entered the field during matches, and conflict would break out,” recalled Burale, the District Sports Commissioner.
For young players, the experience was frustrating and unsafe.
Sometimes you couldn’t even see the ball because of the dust, and spectators would enter the field in the final minutes,” said Shafie, a football player.
Former football playing area used by sports teams before the newly rehabilitated stadium
Today, the story is different. Through the Programme for Social, Political and Environmental Resilience in Somalia (PROSPERIS), funded by the Royal Norwegian Embassy (RNE) and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), and implemented by NIS Foundation, Abudwak today has a modern, fully functional sports stadium, the only one of its kind in Galmudug State. The project transformed the former open ground into a safe, inclusive space with artificial turf, a perimeter chain link fence, two spectator stands, two shaded dugout benches (each with nine shaded seats), two changing rooms for male and female players, two washrooms, a ticketing room and a rehabilitated basketball court.
The stadium was officially inaugurated on 8 January 2025, marked by a ceremonial kick-off led by the Vice President of Galmudug State, alongside the Minister of Youth and Sports of Galmudug, the Mayor of Abudwak, and other senior government officials and community leaders. On the same day, an inter-village football tournament was launched, bringing together six teams from across the district.
The tournament was officially launched with a ceremonial kick-off by the vice-President of Galmudug state.
Since then, the stadium has been alive with energy. Thousands of spectators gather daily to watch matches in an orderly and peaceful environment, something the community had never experienced before.
Turning Rivalry into Unity
Where football once triggered tension, it is now bringing communities together. Matches are organized, crowds are controlled, and rivalries are expressed peacefully.
Conflicts between neighbourhoods and villages are now turned into competitions,” said the district Sports Commissioner. “Even nearby districts like Xeraale and Adado will peacefully compete here.”
Recognizing this impact, the transformation has caught the attention of regional authorities as the Galmudug Ministry of Youth and Sports announced that next year’s Galmudug Inter-District Football League will be hosted in Abudwak, highlighting the town as a hub for sports and peacebuilding.
Football teams actively engaging in sports activities at the newly constructed stadium
More Than a Stadium
The impact of the project goes beyond sports. The stadium is now seen as a shared public space for the entire community. It is expected to host peace rallies, public meetings, Eid prayers, cultural events, and athletics competitions -strengthening social bonds and community dialogue.
For the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the facility has restored credibility and leadership.
We were always asked what the Ministry was doing for youth,” said the Director General. “Now we feel we have fulfilled a major responsibility.”
A Symbol of Hope
For the people of Abudwak, this stadium is more than infrastructure. It is a symbol of peace, belonging, and possibility. What was once a dusty field marked by conflict is now a place where youth play freely, communities gather safely, and competition builds connection instead of division.