Algiers Witnesses the Birth of the First Official Football Federation of the Sahrawi Republic
In a moment carrying deep sporting, political, and humanitarian significance, the official establishment of the Football Federation of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) was formally announced today, Wednesday, in the Algerian capital, Algiers. The event is being widely regarded as a historic milestone in the process of building Sahrawi national institutions and strengthening their presence on the international stage.
The announcement took place at the “Mazafran” Hotel in Zeralda, in the presence of officials and political and sports figures, including representatives of the Sahrawi Ministry of Youth and Sports, members of the Sahrawi Embassy in Algeria, as well as players of the Sahrawi national football team, and prominent Algerian solidarity activists supporting the Sahrawi cause.
This development goes far beyond the administrative creation of a sports body. It reflects a clear strategic shift toward using sport—especially football—as a diplomatic tool, allowing Western Sahara to address the world in a universal language understood by all: football.
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Football as National Identity and a Political Message
The Central Director of Sahrawi Sports, Sayed Ahmed Tehleel, stated that the creation of the Sahrawi Football Federation is “a remarkable event for the Sahrawi people and their cause,” describing it as a decolonization struggle. He emphasized that this step represents the expansion of the Sahrawi struggle into new and influential arenas, particularly the world of sport.
Tehleel added that the federation’s establishment is part of a broader plan to develop Sahrawi sports diplomacy and to build national teams capable of representing the Sahrawi state in continental and international events. He also called for inspiration from Algeria’s National Liberation Front (FLN) team, which played a crucial role in internationalizing the Algerian cause during the liberation revolution.
This comparison sends a strong message: just as Algeria successfully used football during its revolution to reinforce its legitimacy and gain international support, Western Sahara now seeks to follow a similar path by transforming sport into a platform for global recognition.
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Federation President: We Seek International Recognition and Continental Participation
For his part, the President of the Sahrawi Football Federation, Ahmed Baba Yahya Bouhbeini, described the announcement as “a historic day for the Sahrawi cause and its struggling people.” He highlighted that sport is no longer merely recreational, but has become a powerful means for oppressed peoples to communicate their struggle for freedom and recognition.
Bouhbeini expressed hope that the federation’s efforts will eventually lead to international recognition, allowing the Sahrawi federation to participate officially in continental and international competitions. He stressed that the objective is to secure the right of Sahrawi athletes to represent their homeland legally on African and global stages.
This statement is widely seen as a clear declaration that the Sahrawi federation intends to begin an organized diplomatic campaign to reach major football institutions, including the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA).
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Algeria Reaffirms Its Support: Sport as the Voice of Free Peoples
Meanwhile, Said El Ayachi, President of the Algerian National Committee for Solidarity with the Sahrawi People, praised this initiative and described it as a major step forward. He emphasized that it will help amplify the message of the Sahrawi people worldwide, noting that sport has the power to shape global public opinion in favor of just causes.
Algeria’s support comes within a well-known political context, as Algeria has long been one of the strongest supporters of the Sahrawi people’s right to self-determination. However, this time, support is expressed through a new channel: strengthening Sahrawi sports institutions capable of reaching international audiences beyond traditional political statements.
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A Symbolic International Match at Nelson Mandela Stadium
In parallel with the celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of the proclamation of the Sahrawi Republic, an exhibition match is scheduled for Friday at the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Baraki, bringing together the Sahrawi national team and a team of former Algerian football stars.
The Algerian stars team will be coached by Younes Iftissan, while player Djamel Benlamri will captain the squad. The lineup is expected to include well-known names such as Zemamouche, Hadj Aïssa, Djabou, Metref, Meftah, Driouch, Brikika, and other former internationals.
The Sahrawi team, on the other hand, includes players currently active in European leagues, particularly in Spain and Portugal, demonstrating that Sahrawi football has moved beyond local limits and has developed genuine international connections.
This match carries more than a sporting value—it is rich in symbolism, as it takes place in a stadium named after one of Africa’s greatest liberation icons: Nelson Mandela.
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Sahrawi Ministry Statement: A Sovereign Institutional Step
In an official statement issued by the Sahrawi Ministry of Youth and Sports, the ministry confirmed that the creation of the Sahrawi Football Federation is a “sovereign institutional step” within the broader process of completing the Sahrawi state’s sports structures.
The statement explained that the federation will work to organize and develop Sahrawi football, supervise clubs and regional leagues, and support young talents by training and developing skills while promoting discipline and sportsmanship.
The ministry also emphasized that the federation will defend the right of Sahrawi athletes to participate in regional and continental competitions, and will seek cooperation and partnerships with African and international sports bodies in order to strengthen Sahrawi representation within the African sphere.
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Why Is the Establishment of the Sahrawi Football Federation a Global Event?
Some may assume that the creation of a football federation is merely a local sports matter. However, this announcement carries three major messages to the international community:
First: Building Sahrawi State Institutions
The federation reflects the Sahrawi Republic’s approach as an organized state entity, working to establish specialized institutions across all sectors, including sport.
Second: Bringing the Sahrawi Cause to Global Public Opinion
Football is not just a game—it is the world’s most powerful non-political media platform. When Western Sahara enters football tournaments and stadiums, its cause automatically enters global media coverage and public awareness.
Third: Using Sport as Soft Power Against Marginalization
Marginalized peoples are often excluded from international platforms. Sport, however, has a unique ability to break such isolation and redefine national identity in front of global audiences.
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Western Sahara Enters a New Phase
The establishment of the Football Federation of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic cannot be viewed only as a sporting development. It is also a declaration that Western Sahara is determined to be present internationally through legitimate institutions, and that the Sahrawi people are no longer relying solely on politics to defend their cause. They are now expanding into culture, sport, and soft diplomacy.
In a world where image is often shaped before decisions are made, football becomes one of the strongest forms of expressing existence, rights, and national identity.
Today, from Algiers, not only was a new football federation born—but also a new global message:
There is a people called the Sahrawi people. They have a homeland, a flag, a national team, and a legitimate right to have their voice heard in every stadium, just as it is heard in political forums.
