A Somali sports official has been suspended due to a viral video that emerged during the International University Sports Federation’s (FISU) Summer World University Games in China this week.
Nasro Abukar Ali represented Somalia in the third heat of the first round of the women’s 100-meter race at the event, but unfortunately, she finished last.
Her time was 21.81 seconds – more than 8 seconds slower than the second-to-last runner, and over 10 seconds behind the winner of the heat.
The video, which circulated online, sparked widespread condemnation.
"One Twitter user expressed, 'The Ministry of Youth and Sports should step down. It's disheartening to witness such an incompetent government. How could they select an untrained girl to represent Somalia in running? It's truly shocking and reflects poorly on our country internationally.
"Another user added, "Somalia sent an oversized and unathletic female runner. She came last and recorded the slowest finish in the competition's history. Reports indicate that the lady had no sporting background and was picked to represent Somalia due to her familial ties with officials."
How did this untrained woman end up competing?
Somalia's Sports ministry says:
- She's not a runner
- The chair of the Athletics Federation committed "acts of abuse of power, nepotism, and defaming the nation" internationally and has been suspended pic.twitter.com/T31EC1xQSd— Larry Madowo (@LarryMadowo) August 3, 2023
In response to the incident, Khadijo Aden Dahir, the chairwoman of the Somali Athletics Federation, was suspended shortly after the viral video appeared online.
Ms. Dahir has been accused of abusing her power and defaming Somalia. Her suspension followed a meeting between the country's sports ministry and its National Olympic Committee.
"The Chairwoman of the Somali Athletics Federation, Ms. Khadijo Aden Dahir, has engaged in acts of abuse of power, nepotism, and defamed the name of the nation in the international arena," the statement declared.
"Furthermore, the Ministry of Youth and Sports firmly declares its intention to pursue legal action against both the Chairman of the Athletics Federation of Somalia and individuals responsible for justifying the Somali University Sports Association," the statement added.
Mohamed Barre Mohamud, Somalia's Minister of Youth and Sports, expressed his lack of knowledge about how Ali ended up being chosen for the competition.
The Somali university union also stated that they had not sent any runners to China as part of an official Somali team.
