Somalia apologizes for presenting slow runner in China

Somalia’s Sports Minister Mohamed Barre Mohamud has apologized for the country’s disgraceful representation in an international athletics event in China. The minister had to present the apology following the outrageously poor performance of Nasra Abubakar Ali, who represented the country in the FISU World University Games in China.

Nasra Abubakar Ali took nearly twice the time the winner of the 100m race took to finish after she clocked approximately 22s in finishing last. She made it even looker funnier after she made a playful skip at the finish line.

Social media has been pouring with reactions as people wonder how it was possible for someone that slow to be selected to compete.

A Twitter user by the name Elham Garaad, tweeted, “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.”

Mohamed Barre Mohamud rendered an apology saying, “What happened today was not a representation of the Somali people… we apologise to the Somali people”.

However, Nasra Abubakar Ali’s performance did not tell the entire story of the Somali’s representation at the games. Hasan Ali Idoow from Somalia qualified for the 1500m finals.

Also, information shared by social media users indicates that Nasra Abubakar Ali is the niece of the Somali Athletics Federation.

Additionally, Nasra Abubakar Ali is not the first to represent the country and run sluggishly. In 2016 at the Rio Olympic Games, Maryan Nuh Muse, run 1.10.14 in the 400m. The average time for the event was 48s.