Ramla Ali

BIOGRAPHY

Born in Mogadishu, Somalia. In the early nineties the political situation deteriorated in Somalia and Ramlas family had no choice but to flee.

Unfortunately, she lost many family members along the way due to the civil war, including her eldest brother who was just nine at the time,

when a grenade was thrown into their front garden as they played. Fearing for their lives, they left Mogadishu for the safety of England.

Still a young girl when the family made the terrifying journey through the perilous waters off the Horn of Africa, through Kenya and finally to

the UK. Every day they feared disease, pirates or having to turn back, which has definitely made Ramla determined to never give up hope,

even when you fear the most. On arriving in England they settled in London.

A Muslim, a new girl, in a new school, she struggled at first, being teased and bullied for being overweight. They had come so far, from such terror, and

now she had to face new fears in the playground. Her childhood taught her to never give up and conquer fears and she did - through sport.

Ramla tried any sporting activity she could and embraced each with a new-found confidence but her passion for sport only manifested itself the

day she walked into a boxing gym. Boxing is typically not something a girl, let alone a young Muslim girl does. Her family who learned of her

secret were furious. She had to keep it hidden from her parents. Some fear is too great - but some passions are too big to deny!

At first, Ramla thought she was too small to even be noticed when she was hitting the bag, but loved it. The control, the strength, the agility, the

confidence helped her to love both herself and her body. Those playground bullies didn’t bother Ramla anymore! As she grew, boxing grew with

her. Ramla spent every hour she could practising, training, trying to become the best. The family wanted her to have a good education and wide

career choices; sport never entered their minds. They had left a life of danger behind and wanted stability and direction for their youngest

daughter. So, she worked hard, won a place at SOAS (university of London), and gained a first-class law degree. It led to a job in a City law

firm but the passion for boxing never left her. After 6 months, She just couldn’t do it anymore. Ramla realised that her purpose, her happiness

came from being in the ring. It was here that she could truly be herself and help others like her. The boxing was kept a secret throughout her

life and it had been hard without the support of the family, but boxing is a part of her, it helped her realise the strengths and through it she has

made wonderful friends. The greatest achievement to date came this year, when Ramlas mother, after understanding she was to now represent

Somalia, gave her blessing and prays, which meant everything to Ramla. It is this lack of understanding within the African communities

that hold other young girls/athletes back in their sport.

Ramla believes she has a very unique opportunity, which many other athletes don’t, which is to become a role model, not only for female boxing

and equality within the sport but the empowerment of women in Africa. As you know Africa suffers tremendously from a lack of female

athletes in all sports, education & nutrition, coaching and overall engagement and understanding of what sport can do for young women.

The reason she decided to compete for Somalia, where she was born and the place she calls home, was very simple. Yes, Ramla could have continued

to represent England, had the rewards and funding that comes with representing a major national federation but that isn’t what sport is

about. Sport is about sacrificing and struggling for something bigger then yourself and no better place to do this then the greatest platform of all, The Olympic Games 2020.

She wishes to create history in becoming the first boxer to represent Somalia in the Games, not just for herself, but so other young African girls

can see that it’s truly possible. It's a hard dream when it hasn’t been done before but she wants to inspire hope.

Ramla Ali

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Photography Peter Lindbergh | Styling Edward Enninful
Photography Peter Lindbergh | Styling Edward Enninful
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