Cindy Ngamba Wins Medal for Refugee Olympic Team
- Cindy Ngamba, a Cameroonian-born athlete, achieved a historic feat by becoming the first person to win a medal for the Refugee Olympic Team.
- Ngamba is based in Bolton, where she trains and represents her adopted community.
- Her victory showcases the resilience and talent of athletes from refugee backgrounds.
Cameroonian-born boxer Ngamba, now based in Bolton, has captured attention during the Paris Olympics, not only for her athletic prowess but also for her inspiring life story. Ngamba moved to Bolton at the age of 11 to live with her father after being raised by her mother in Cameroon. Her early years in the UK were marred by bullying, yet she persevered, pursuing a degree in criminology at Bolton University while navigating the complexities of her immigration status alongside her brother, Kennet. Ngamba's journey took a harrowing turn when she and her brother were detained in London, facing the threat of deportation back to Cameroon. She expressed the fear of returning to a country where her sexual orientation could put her life at risk. Despite these challenges, Ngamba has built an impressive amateur boxing record of 26 wins and 5 losses, culminating in her recent achievement of an Olympic bronze medal. Her coach, Tom McNeill, praised her remarkable ability to learn and adapt, recalling her early days in the gym when she surprised everyone with her strength and skill against a lighter opponent. McNeill emphasized that Ngamba's performance at the Olympics transcends sport; she is fighting for her life and identity, having faced the looming threat of deportation just a few years prior. With her Olympic success, there is hope that Ngamba will finally secure her citizenship papers, allowing her to focus on her boxing career and future aspirations.