As we get closer to the Olympics, we bring you more Somali athletes that showcase Somalia’s athletic prowess. Meet Somali long-distance Mustafa Mohamed who mainly competes in the 3000 meter steeplechase and runs for Sweden. Mustafa moved to Sweden at the age of 11 eventually settling in Lysekil with his family. His accolades are piling up. For example, on July 28, 2007, Mustafa posted a time of 8:05.75, thereby beating the 31 year old Swedish record. Later that season, he finished fourth in the 2007 World Championships. On June 21, 2009, Mustafa competed in and took home gold at the 1st SPAR European Team Championships in Leiria, Portugal. At the 2010 Swedish Athletics Championships he completed a triple long-distance victory by winning the 3000 m steeplechase, 5000 metres, and 10,000 metres. This made him only the second man to complete the feat, after Dan Glans 1976 wins. He made his debut over the marathon distance at the 2012 Hamburg Marathon and reached the top ten with his run of 2:12:28 hours. Be Inspired! Be Positive! Be Somali!

The Norwegian Premier League is burning up with Somali professional football player Amin Askar lighting up the field. A versatile footballer, Amin has played in several positions, including defence and midfield. In 2009, he joined the team Fredrikstad. Due to his magnificent rise with Fredrikstad, he was signed by the Norwegian Premier League club SK Brann in 2012. Be Inspired! Be Positive! Be Somali!

We were saddened to learn of the death of Dr. Abdishakur Ali Jowhar this week. His death not only shocked Somali people around the world but struck a deep cord with the mental health community in Owen Sound, Canada where he was loved and admired by many of his colleagues and patients. Dr. Jowhar, Chief of Psychiatry at Grey Bruce Health Services, was killed Sunday in a car crash in his native Somaliland. He was a tireless advocate for mental health, particularly given the estimates by the World Health Organization that 1 in 3 Somalis suffers some form of mental illness. Read the Somaliland Sun’s coverage of Dr. Jowhar’s unfortunate tragedy here and take solace in the poetic words of tribute by Idanka here. 

A football tournament to steer Somali youth away from piracy in the busy commercial city of Bossaso is underway. The tournament consists of 14 teams, from districts in Bari region the biggest region in Puntland. The opening game between Bossaso and Gumbah finished 2-1 with the host city Bossaso winning the opener. Be Inspired! Be Positive! Be Somali! Read more. 

Here is yet another Somali film director we’ve unearthed. Meet Mo Ali, a Somali film director and producer in London. During the last five years Ali has shot over 65 music videos for the likes of Chipmunk, Jammer, Plan B, Roll Deep, Skepta and Tinchy Stryder and others. 2010 saw the release of Ali’s first feature film “Shank”, an action film for the youth generation set in a decaying future London. Ali also featured among the cast of Lint the Movie, a 2011 documentary on the cult science fiction author and philosopher Jeff Lint. Read about MTV U.K.’s interview with Ali on his career and interests here, listen to him give advice to aspiring film makers here, read about Vice Style’s take on his style and chops here, and follow him on twitter here.