Somalia Becomes the Butt of Sports Jokes in China

Mogadishu (PP News Desk) — The abysmal performance of Nasra Abukar at the 100 metre World University Games in Beijing turned Somalia into the butt of jokes. Nasra was not only the last runner to reach the finishing line, but also commentators drew attention to her physique that had reflected lack of preparedness for the event.

At a press conference Nasra said she would represent Somalia at the Games and would run the 10 metre contest.

Nasra’s performance at World University Games made Somalia a laughing stock sports wise.

The Association of Somali Universities denied  that it had sent an athlete to Beijing to represent Somalia. According to the BBC Somali Service website Nasra is a student at Jobkey University in Mogadishu. “There are student athletes who are far more capable than Nasra is, but corruption and favouritism made her participation in World University Games possible” said a sports journalist in Mogadishu.

Nasra has no sports experience but Khadjijo Adam, the Chairman of the Somali Athletics Association told BBC Somali Service that Nasra had “undergone intensive training sessions for the games”.

© Puntland Post, 2023