Somalia suspend athletics chair after runner takes 21 seconds to finish 100m
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Sports Minister Mohamed Barre Mohamud said that an investigation was conducted with Somalia’s National Olympic Committee.
PHOTO: UNSPLASH
MOGADISHU – Somalia’s minister of youth and sports has suspended the country’s athletics federation chief and is set to initiate legal action, after a woman sprinter took more than 21 seconds to complete the 100m at the World University Games.
Nasra Abukar Ali lined up for the women’s 100m at the event in China but she finished last, more than 10sec behind the winner, who clocked 11.58sec.
In a clip that went viral on social media, the untrained 20-year-old was not even in the frame as the rest of the field crossed the line.
Sports Minister Mohamed Barre Mohamud said that an investigation conducted with Somalia’s National Olympic Committee revealed Ali was neither a sports person nor a runner.
“Khadijo Aden Dahir, the chairwoman of the Somali Athletics Federation, has engaged in acts of abuse of power, nepotism, and defaming the name of the nation in (the) international arena,” the minister said in a statement.
It did not elaborate on the charge of nepotism but social media users have speculated that the runner is Dahir’s niece.
“Based on these findings, the chairman of the Somalia National Olympics committee should suspend Khadijo Aden.
“Furthermore, the Ministry... firmly declares its intention to pursue legal action against both the chairman of the Athletics Federation of Somalia and individuals responsible for the falsification of the Somali University Sports Association.
“What happened today was not representation of the Somali people... we apologise to the Somali people.”
The ministry added that the investigation also revealed that there was no registered Somali University Sports Association.
As the clip went viral, many Somalis took to social media to question why the runner was even selected despite having no previous experience in running or competing.
“It’s disheartening to witness such an incompetent government,” wrote one social media user.
“How could they select an untrained girl to represent Somalia in running?”
“It’s truly shocking and reflects poorly on our country internationally.”
Others were harsher in their criticism, adding that Ali was the worst athlete in history to have participated in the international Games.
“Immediately I saw the potbelly, I started laughing,” said another social media user.
“This girl hasn’t walked fast in her life, (much less) run any kind of race. She has never run a day in her life.” REUTERS