Mogadishu – Somalia’s Minister of Youth and Sports, Mohamed Abdulkadir Ali, has praised Olympic boxer Ramla Ali as a “symbol of national pride” during an official reception in Mogadishu on Friday, marking her first return to her homeland in three decades.
The minister described Ramla as a beacon of hope for Somali youth, particularly girls aspiring to break barriers in sports.
“Her achievements under the Somali flag have inspired our nation, and the government stands ready to support all Somali athletes competing internationally,” the minister said.
Ramla, who fled Somalia as a child, made history as the country’s first female professional boxer and its first Olympic boxing representative at the Tokyo 2020 Games. Among her career highlights was a groundbreaking victory in August 2022, when she defeated Dominican opponent Crystal Garcia Nova in Saudi Arabia’s first-ever professional women’s boxing match, winning by knockout in the opening round.
Arriving in Mogadishu last Sunday to a hero’s welcome at Aden Adde International Airport, Ramla has emphasized that her visit is about reconnecting with her roots and encouraging Somali youth to pursue their dreams.
“I want to show young people—especially girls—that nothing is impossible,” she said.
The Ministry of Sports, together with the Somali Football Federation, organized a grand reception at Engineer Yariisow Stadium, where thousands of fans, government officials, youth groups, and former athletes turned out to honor her. The celebrations featured a friendly match between Somalia’s under-17 and under-20 women’s national football teams, showcasing the next generation of talent.
Earlier in the week, Minister of Family Affairs and Human Rights Khadija Makhzumi also hosted Ramla at a special luncheon, further underscoring the boxer’s growing role as a cultural ambassador and role model.
Ramla’s return marks a milestone moment for Somali sports, highlighting the resilience of its diaspora and the power of representation on the global stage.