Wednesday August 2, 2023
Mogadishu (HOL) - Somalia's Ministry of Sports and Youth has pledged to investigate the selection process that led to an underprepared athlete representing Somalia at the FISU World University Games in Chengdu, China.
The controversy centers around Nasra Abukar, a 20-year-old with limited running experience, who finished last in the 100-meter race, provoking criticism, particularly from Somalis worldwide.
In a bid to quell the outrage, Sports Minister Mohamed Barre pledged to hold those responsible for what he termed as the "misrepresentation and embarrassment" of the country. The controversy intensified amid allegations of favouritism involving Abukar's potential familial connection to Khadija Aden Dahir, the Chairperson of the Somali Athletics Federation.
Social media users in Somalia have noted a possible connection between Abukar and Dahir by drawing on a congratulatory message posted by Dahir on her personal Facebook page celebrating Abukar's graduation.
Dahir defended Abukar's selection during a send-off ceremony in Mogadishu, insisting on her diligent training and the development of substantial running skills.
From the starting gun, it was apparent that Abukar was struggling. While her competitors surged ahead, she lagged behind, visibly straining to maintain a competitive pace. She crossed the finish line long after the others. Her competitors had already begun their post-race recovery, catching their breath and stretching as Abukar crossed the finish line.
Meanwhile, fellow athlete Ali Idow, who represented Somalia in the men's 1,500-meter race, advanced to the next stage, securing fourth place. Abukar's selection process and performance disparity compared to Idow have amplified criticism towards the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
The World University Games, held biennially by the International University Sports Federation (FISU), is a significant global event for student-athletes. Past events have attracted a high level of participation, with the 2003 and 2013 games in South Korea and Russia setting records for country and athlete representation, respectively.