Somalia’s Sports Minister issued an apology following an incident at the World University Games in Chengdu, China. 

During an international 100m race, Nasra Abubakar Ali, a female participant, faced significant scrutiny as she took nearly 22 seconds to complete the race, almost twice as long as the winner.

A video capturing the event went viral on social media, depicting the Somali athlete falling far behind and eventually finishing the race with a light-hearted skip. The performance raised questions about her selection for the competition.

Addressing the situation, Somali Sports Minister Mohamed Barre Mohamud expressed his deep regret and acknowledged the embarrassment caused by the incident. He stated that such a performance did not represent the true potential of Somali athletes, and he offered a formal apology to the Somali people for the disappointing display.

The incident has sparked discussions about the importance of fair selection processes and training opportunities for athletes to ensure they can compete at their best on the international stage. 

The Somali government and sports authorities may likely face scrutiny to improve their approach in nurturing and selecting athletes for future competitions.

Source: GraphicOnline