MOGADISHU — In a stunning turn of events, a Somali sports official has been suspended amidst allegations of nepotism. The controversy unfolded on Wednesday when a video, which quickly went viral, captured an astonishing scene at an international competition. The footage showcased a seemingly inexperienced runner effortlessly skipping across the finish line, securing last place. In a widely circulated video that surfaced on Wednesday, Nasro Abukar Ali was captured in action during the third heat of the initial round of the women's 100-meter race at the prestigious International University Sports Federation's (FISU) Summer World University Games held in China.
In a rather lackluster display, Ali initially struggles to find his rhythm as the rest of the runners surge ahead, leaving him trailing far behind the leading pack. However, undeterred by his slow start, Ali perseveres, gradually picking up the pace and making his way towards the finish line. With a touch of flair, he concludes his race with a modest skip, bringing an end to his performance.
In a surprising turn of events, she crossed the finish line with a time of 21.81 seconds, a staggering 8 seconds behind the runner-up and a whopping 10 seconds behind the heat's victor.
The release of the video caused an immediate stir on various social media platforms, eliciting a range of reactions including mockery, skepticism, and, in certain cases, outrage.
The sight of an inept government is truly disheartening. In a surprising turn of events, questions have arisen regarding the selection process for Somalia's representative in the field of running. Critics are questioning the decision to choose an untrained girl for such a prestigious role. In a viral Twitter post that has amassed over 47 million likes, an individual, now identified as X, expressed their thoughts. In a stunning turn of events that has sent shockwaves across the globe, the current state of affairs in our nation has garnered widespread criticism, tarnishing our reputation on the international stage.
In a recent development, the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Somalia announced on Wednesday the suspension of Khadijo Aden Dahir, who holds the esteemed position of chairwoman within the Somali Athletics Federation. In a letter addressed to the Somali National Olympic Committee and subsequently tweeted by the ministry, it has been alleged that Dahir, whose full name was not provided, has been involved in a series of troubling actions. These actions reportedly include abuse of power, nepotism, and tarnishing the reputation of the nation on the international stage.
In a recent statement, Mohamed Barre Mohamud, the Somali Minister of Youth and Sports, categorically stated that Ali, whose full name was not provided, did not possess the qualities of a sportsperson or a runner. In a recent report by Forbes, it has been revealed that Mohamud, the individual involved in the incident, had previously issued an "apology" through a video posted on Facebook. In a statement delivered in Somali, as reported by Forbes, he expressed that the events of today did not accurately reflect the sentiments and actions of the Somali population.
In his letter, while addressing the issue of nepotism, no explicit connection was established between Dahir and Ali.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the Association of Somalia Universities made it clear that they had not dispatched any runners to the event.
In a recent correspondence released on Wednesday, the Ministry of Youth and Sports made a noteworthy revelation. According to their investigation, it was discovered that there is no officially recognized entity known as the "Somali University Sports Association. Unfortunately, the letter did not provide any additional details regarding the nature of this association or its involvement in the competition under scrutiny.
In a recent development, the Ministry of Sports in Somalia has announced its intention to take legal action against the Chairman of the Athletics Federation of Somalia and those accountable for the falsification of the Somali University Sports Association. In a letter, the ministry made it clear that it is determined to pursue legal recourse in order to address this matter.
CNN has made contact with Mohamud, seeking his comment on the matter. The renowned news network reached out to him through the Sports Ministry of the East African country. Additionally, CNN has also reached out to various organizations associated with the FISU event, including the Somali National Olympic Committee, the Somali Athletics Federation, and World Athletics, in order to gather more information and perspectives on the situation.
The bustling city of Chengdu, located in the southwestern region of China, is currently playing host to the highly anticipated Summer World University Games.
