For the City, For the Next Generation

Al-Madinah Wichita FC is proud to continue growing its youth soccer program and investing in the next generation of players in Wichita and the surrounding community.

What started as an effort to create more opportunities for local children to play soccer has grown into a youth program built around development, quality coaching, affordability, and community. This season, Al-Madinah is excited to expand to five youth teams in a single season, creating opportunities for even more young athletes and families to become part of the club.

“We’re incredibly excited to grow to five youth teams in a single season and to give more families in Wichita the opportunity to be part of Al-Madinah. Our goal is to provide high-level coaching and a quality soccer experience while keeping the program affordable and accessible to families in our community. We want our players to have the opportunity to develop, compete, and fall in love with the game.”

— Safwan Islam, President

Developing the Next Generation

At Al-Madinah, youth soccer is about more than developing players on the field. It is about helping young athletes grow as teammates, leaders, and people while creating an environment where they can learn, compete, and enjoy the game.

That philosophy is central to the work of Abdullah Ahmed, Youth Director and U13 Head Coach, who views coaching as an opportunity to both teach and learn.

“One of the most rewarding parts of coaching is knowing that we have the opportunity to help shape the next generation, both as soccer players and as people. We’re here to teach them, challenge them, and help them grow, but I also think there’s a lot we can learn from the kids ourselves. Every player brings a different personality, perspective, and way of seeing the game. Being able to grow alongside them is what makes coaching so meaningful.”

— Abdullah Ahmed, Youth Director & U13 Head Coach

The goal is to give each player a strong foundation while allowing them to grow at their own pace. Whether a player is just beginning their soccer journey or already competing at a high level, Al-Madinah wants every athlete to feel supported and challenged.

A Pathway to the Next Level

One of the defining aspects of Al-Madinah’s soccer structure is the pathway that exists beyond youth soccer.

Alongside its youth program, Al-Madinah Wichita FC competes in the United Premier Soccer League (UPSL), giving players an opportunity to continue their development and pursue a higher level of competition within the same organization.

For Zaid Sibaai, Director of Operations and U7 Head Coach, that pathway is an important part of the club’s long-term vision.

“I’m very excited about what we have accomplished here in such a short amount of time, and I’m even more excited about what we will continue to build. Our goal is to provide young players with an environment where they can enter the club, develop, and have a clear pathway toward the next level.

We are one of only two youth clubs in the area with a semi-professional team, giving our players a unique opportunity to continue developing while competing at a higher level. We have a clear pathway from youth development to semi-professional soccer and ultimately want to help our players reach the highest level possible.”

— Zaid Sibaai, Director of Operations & U7 Head Coach

For the youngest players, that journey may begin with learning the fundamentals and developing a love for the game. As players progress, they can take on greater challenges, compete at higher levels, and potentially work toward representing Al-Madinah at the senior level.

Powered by Our Community

None of this would be possible without the support of the community around Al-Madinah.

We are incredibly grateful for the continued and unwavering support of our sponsors, Mokas Coffee and Eatery and Children’s Mercy Hospital. Their commitment to our club and our young athletes has played an important role in allowing us to expand our youth program and provide opportunities to more families.

Their support helps us continue investing in quality coaching, equipment, uniforms, and the overall experience we provide to our players, while keeping our program accessible to families in our community.

To have organizations like Mokas and Children’s Mercy believe in what we are building means a great deal to everyone at Al-Madinah. Their support is a reminder that developing the next generation is not something a soccer club does alone—it takes an entire community.

We are incredibly thankful for their partnership, their belief in our mission, and their never-ending support as we continue building for the future.

For the City. For the Next Generation.

The growth of Al-Madinah Youth Soccer Club represents more than an increase in the number of teams. It represents an investment in the young athletes and families who make up the Wichita community.

With five youth teams now part of the program, Al-Madinah is continuing to build a club where players can develop, families can feel connected, and young athletes can see a future for themselves within the game.

From a child’s first experience on the soccer field to the possibility of eventually stepping onto the field for Al-Madinah’s UPSL team, the vision is to create a pathway that grows with the player.

For the City. For the Next Generation.