Somalia’s sports minister has told Ramla Ali, the county’s first Olympic boxer, that she was a “symbol of national pride” as the two met in the capital, Mogadishu on Friday.

Minister Mohamed Abdulkadir Ali described the boxer as a symbol of inspiration for Somali girls and youth in general.

He hailed Ramla’s achievements under the Somali flag and vowed on the government’s support for Somali athletes representing the country abroad.

The boxer is making her first return to Somalia after thirty years abroad that saw her become the first Somali woman to turn professional in the sport and the first athlete to represent Somalia in boxing during the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

Ramla’s most notable boxing achievement was in August 2022, when she won the first-ever professional women’s boxing match held in Saudi Arabia, defeating Dominican fighter Crystal Garcia Nova with a first-round knockout.

She arrived in the country on Sunday to a hero’s welcome at the Aden Adde International Airport in Mogadishu.

She seeks to use her visit to inspire Somali youth, especially girls, and to strengthen her ties to her homeland.

Officials have praised her as a role model for aspiring Somali athletes.

A major reception is due to be held in honor of Ramla at Engineer Yariisow Stadium with government officials, former athletes, youth groups and community members expected to attend.

The event, organised by the sports ministry in collaboration with the Somali Football Federation, shall include a friendly soccer match between the national under-17 women’s team and the under-20 women’s team.

Minister of Family Affairs and Human Rights, Khadija Makhzumi had on Tuesday hosted a luncheon reception for the Somali boxer.