The Ministry of Youths and Sports of Somalia has suspended Khadijo Aden Dahir, the chairperson of the Somali Athletics Federation after a video showing a runner who finished past the qualifying standards for the 100M race during an international competition.

In a statement shared via the ministry’s official X account (formerly Twitter), the ministry acknowledged Khadijo’s suspension on grounds of nepotism.

The ministry led by Mohammed Barrre Mohamud noted that it had conducted investigations and discovered that the runner identified as Nasra Abukar Ali was not identified as a sportsperson nor a runner.

Mohamud also noted that preliminary investigations had disclosed that the Somali University Sports Association was non-existent.

“Ms. Khadijo Aden Dahir, the Chairwoman of the Somali Athletics Federation, has engaged in acts of abuse of power, nepotism, and defaming the name of the nation in the international arena.

“Furthermore, the Ministry of Youth and Sports firmly declares its intention to pursue legal action against both the chairman of the Athletics Federation of Somalia and individuals responsible for the justification of the Somali University Sports Association,” the statement added.