A Somali sports official, Khadijo Aden Dahir, has been suspended for nepotism after a viral video showed an apparent novice runner, Nasro Abukar Ali, competing in an international race.
The video, widely circulated on social media, displayed Ali lagging far behind other runners in the women’s 100-meter race at the International University Sports Federation’s (FISU) Summer World University Games in China. The incident prompted outrage and calls for accountability in Somali sports.
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Who is Nasro Abukar Ali?
Nasro Abukar Ali is a novice runner from Somalia who gained attention for her performance in the women’s 100-meter race at the FISU Summer World University Games in China. The viral video of her seemingly untrained and slow performance sparked criticism and concern about the selection process for representing the nation in international competitions.
Ali’s performance in the race raised questions about the competence of Somali sports officials and the criteria for selecting athletes to represent the country. The video received significant attention on social media, with many expressing disbelief and ridicule over her participation in such a prestigious event.
Following the controversy, Khadijo Aden Dahir, the chairwoman of the Somali Athletics Federation, was suspended by the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Somalia. The suspension came after allegations of “acts of abuse of power, nepotism, and defaming the name of the nation in international arena.” However, there was no direct link made between Dahir and Ali in the letter addressing the Somali National Olympic Committee.
The Ministry of Youth and Sports revealed that an investigation found no registered Somali University Sports Association, casting doubt on the legitimacy of Ali’s participation in the event. The ministry expressed its intention to pursue legal action against those responsible for the falsification of the association and against the Chairman of the Athletics Federation of Somalia.
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The incident occurred during the ongoing Summer World University Games held in Chengdu, southwestern China. The controversy surrounding Ali’s participation has raised concerns about the integrity and transparency of the sports selection process in Somalia.
