Athletics boss suspended after runner's 'shameful' effort at World University Games
A video of Nasra Ali Abukar went viral after she finished 10 seconds behind the winner in the 100m event.
The chairwoman of the Somali Athletics Federation has been suspended after an investigation found she sent her niece to the World University Games ahead of more deserving athletes. In a video that has gone viral around the world, Nasra Ali Abukar finished a staggering 10 seconds after the winner of the women’s 100m race at the FISU World University Games in Chengdu, China.
It quickly emerged that Abukar was not a trained athlete, and her time of 21.81 seconds was dubbed the “slowest-ever" for a 100m event at an international meet. Abukar could be seen skipping across the finish line as the rest of the athletes waited for her to complete the race.
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What hasn't been slow is the fallout, with Khadijo Aden Dahir (chairwoman of the Somali Athletics Federation) suspended on Thursday. An investigation found that Dahir sent her niece Abukar to the Games in an act of blatant nepotism.
The Ministry of Youth and Sports of Somalia said: “Ms. 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 international arena. Nasro Abukar Ali has been identified as not sports person nor a runner.”
Somalia's Minister of Youth and Sports said they planned on taking legal action "against both the Chairman of the Athletics Federation of Somalia and individuals responsible for the falsification of the Somali University Sports Association.”
Athletics world in shock over 'shameful' scenes
The video went global for all the wrong reasons after it was posted on social media by Somali commentator Elham Garaad. “The Ministry of Youth and Sports should step down,” Garaad wrote.
“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.”
The Association of Somali Universities claimed it didn't send any runners for this year’s 100m event. The World University Games are strictly for student athletes.
The Ministry of Youth and Sports also said an investigation found there was no “registered Somali University Sports Association". Additionally, Abukar doesn't have a profile on the World Athletics database or the World University Games website.
Garaad also posted a screenshot of a photo from Dahir’s Facebook page from July 25 in which she congratulates her niece. “Corruption and Nepotism continue,” Garaad wrote.
Omg, I literally couldn’t believe it when I saw the video and there isn’t much that surprise me in Somalia anymore. But why embarrass the whole nation this way.
— Hodo Mure (@HodoMure) August 1, 2023
it’s the whoopty doo dah hop and a skip at the end for me
💀💀💀 pic.twitter.com/ugi0Qj9N6m— DOS (@iamdos) August 2, 2023
Nepotism, we can say it is the worst of the corruption under the gov't.! How's possible the young woman doesn't have any training with related marathon to be representing for Somalia. It's shameful what's going on!! pic.twitter.com/obufBvw9L2
— Awil A. Ahmed (@AwilAAhmed1) August 2, 2023
If verified, This is really shameful to our nation #Somalia that once produced the likes of Abdi bile Abdi Somalia's most decorated athlete in history of the horn nation.
Nepotism sucks🥲 pic.twitter.com/p4yz0NIXHU— Abdullahi Mire👨💻 (@miire06) August 2, 2023
Not only is it disrespectful to the athletes of Somalia but to the athletes of the entire World. The amount of training it takes to compete at this level is insane. The people behind this should all be prosecuted and put behind bars. This disgraceful act should be punished. https://t.co/KHw2zfq7XN
— Richard Cedric TOUPANE (@EMancagne) August 3, 2023
Main take away from Nasra Ali—the untrained Somali female sprinter:#Somalia’s institutions are run/staffed by unqualified people.
Our country needs strong meritocratic culture.
4.5 + merit = acceptable.
4.5 + demerit = disgrace, national embarrassment. pic.twitter.com/DyA8YtDmq5— Abdinor Dahir (@Abdinordahir) August 3, 2023
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