Somali Athlete Resumes Training in London After Escaping Lawless Country
After many years living with fear, Somali Athlete Abdishakur Nageye Abdulle, AKA Cir-Daye, has now resumed his training sessions in London, away from his hostile homeland.
The 5000 meters runner, who survived several assassination attempts from militant group Al Shabab, has now made his way to the United Kingdom and has been engaged in vigorous training sessions at the Hillingdon athletic club training base in London.
Abdulle is one of several Somali athletes who has given up formal training sessions due to insecurity.
Somali National Olympic Committee Secretary General, Duran Ahmed Farah, who is leading a three-member delegation, has visited the athletes during a training session at Hillingdon athletic clubon Tuesday to encourage the players to continue their profession.
“I am happy that you haven’t given up hopes and continue your training sessions. I want to let you know that the Somali NOC and the athletics federation of Somalia will closely be aware of you,” the Somali NOC Secretary General DuranAhmed Farah told Abdulle and his teammate Mohamed Hassan.
Somali NOC Secretary General, Mr. Duran Farah, listened to a report by coach, Ibrahim Hamud, who gave the delegation a full report about the athletes and his hopes that they will be able to perform internationally in the near future.
The 5000 meters runner, Abdishakur Nageye Abdulle, has been receiving death threats from th eAl-Qaeda-linked Al Shabab militants in Somalia since after he appeared in the 2011 IAAF world Championship in South Korea.
“Abdishakur is a talented boy, but seems to be very tired after his long journey to the UK. He has just recovered and he is doing well,” Coach Ibrahim Hamud explained during atelephone conversation from his training base.
“I have high hopes that Abdishakur will be able to take part in international competitions a year from now,” said the coach who added that Mohamed Hassan, 1500 meters runner will also be able to compete internationally.
The coach thanked Hillingdon athletic club, for providing them with a facility to train.
