A Somali runner had the world guessing why she was chosen to represent her country after posting the worst 100-meter run time in the history of 100-meter run times.
As it turns out, she was there because of nepotism.
Nasra Ali Abukar, Somalia’s chosen representative at the FISU 2023 World University Games, looked completely out of place and finished the race with a breathtakingly slow tie of 21:81 seconds, a full ten seconds behind the winner.
The Ministry of Youth and Sports should step down. 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. pic.twitter.com/vMkBUA5JSL
— Elham Garaad ✍︎ (@EGaraad_) August 1, 2023
Naturally, questions arose about how Somalia could have chosen such a clearly unqualified runner to head to China for the Games. The answer to those questions was provided by Somali commentator Elham Garaad. Abukar, as it turns out, is the niece of the Senior Vice President of the Somali Athletics Foundation, Khadija Aden Dahir.
Corruption and Nepotism continue.
In a Facebook post, Khadija Aden Dahir, the senior vice president of the Somali Athletics Federation, sends her congratulations to her niece, the young athlete representing Somalia at the 31st Fisu World University Games in China. Clearly… pic.twitter.com/rUglIAMPOY
— Elham Garaad ✍︎ (@EGaraad_) August 1, 2023
“Abukar reportedly does not have a profile on the World Athletics database or the World University Games site,” the New York Post reports.
It’s unlikely that Abukar will appear on anyone’s track or website again after this display. The head of Somalia’s Ministry of Sports, Mohamed Barre, pledged to get to hold those responsible, accountable.
Somalia’s Ministry of 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… pic.twitter.com/WxXjWWeVQW
— Somalia Live Update (@HassanIstiila) August 2, 2023
Follow Dylan Gwinn on Twitter @themightygwinn