Saturday September 20, 2025
Mogadishu (HOL) – Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on
Saturday welcomed Somali boxing champion and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Ramla
Ali at the Presidential Palace in Mogadishu.
The President praised Ali, who represents Somalia in
international competitions, describing her as a symbol of encouragement and
unity for the nation.
He presented her with an honorary certificate in recognition
of her achievements, her role in uplifting Somali sports, and the positive
reputation she has earned for the country.
Ali, Somalia’s first Olympic boxer, commended the President
for the progress made during his second term and said she had witnessed
positive change in the country.
On Sunday, the 35-year-old featherweight received a hero’s
welcome at Aden Adde International Airport, where federal officials, community
leaders, and flag-waving fans gathered to greet her. Ali, who has a
professional record of 10 wins and two losses since turning pro in 2020, made
history at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games as Somalia’s first-ever Olympic boxer.
Ali was born in Mogadishu on Sept. 16, 1989, before her
family fled the civil war after her 12-year-old brother was killed by a mortar.
They passed through Kenya before resettling in London, where Ali discovered
boxing as a teenager . Initially training in secret, she won England’s national
novice title in 2015, followed by the elite national championships in 2016 and
the African Zone featherweight title in 2019 .