A Somali athletics chief Khadija Aden Dahir is under fire for allegedly sending her relative, an untrained non-athlete relative, to represent the country in the 100m race at the ongoing World University Games in Chengdu, China.
The championships are a university student event held every two years, with the 2023 edition ongoing in Chengdu, China.
In a video that has gone viral online, a chubby woman identified as Nasra Abukar Ali, representing Somalia took part in the 100m race on Tuesday.
14:24 - 02.08.2023
BOXING Tanzania boxer claims Golola used witchcraft to Knock him out
In a rather bizarre explanation for defeat, Tanzanian boxer Karim Mandonga has attributed his loss to Golola Moses to supernatural dark forces.
She finished about 10 seconds behind the winner as she posted a whopping 21 seconds at the distance.
The moment, captured on camera, has sparked outrage and ridicule in equal measure.
According to NBC News, the incident has led to the suspension of Khadija Aden Dahir, the chairwoman of the Somali Athletics Federation.
"Dahir is accused of 'abuse of power, nepotism, and defaming the name of the nation' in the international arena, the ministry said in a statement posted on social media," NBC reported.
"The ministry said the woman in the race is not a runner."
Meanwhile, the Minister of Youth and Sports, Mohamed Barre Mohamud, apologized and said his ministry did not know how the 20-year-old was selected to compete in the 100-meter race, the AP reported.