Boxing pressure does not compare to what I felt at that detention camp
When Cindy Ngamba enters the boxing ring, she enters with no doubts.
When the Cameroonian athlete defeated local favourite Davina Michel by unanimous decision to go to the 75kg semi-finals and win the first-ever Olympic medal for the IOC Refugee Olympic Team in Paris 2024, she demonstrated that kind of mentality.
Cindy Ngamba
Even though the fans cheered for Ngamba after every blow, she ultimately lost in a split decision against Atheyna Bylon of Panama in the final four at Roland Garros. That, however, was unable to overshadow her groundbreaking success.
So where did her inner confidence come from, considering her turbulent upbringing, which included moving to London when she was eleven years old?
From all of the challenges I have faced throughout my life. such as receiving my documents, relocating, and having to get used to UK culture. Cindy Ngamba, who carried the flag for the refugee team at the Opening Ceremony, said to Olympics.com at Paris 2024, “I’ve had many ups and downs.”
“This medal simply demonstrated my abilities and what I’m capable of, as well as the fact that a refugee can compete among all the other athletes who are representing their country.
“At the end of the day, I’m just another athlete trying to compete at the top level, therefore my aim going into the Olympics was to win gold. The most important thing is that I emerged with a significant medal. I’m incredibly happy.
Ngamba accidentally discovered boxing at her local youth club and quickly became enamoured with the sport.
She became the first boxer from a refugee group to ever qualify for the Olympic Games in Paris in 2024, having won three national titles in her new nation. After that, she received an invitation to practice with the Great Britain national team, which she calls her “second family.” The Olympic Refuge Foundation (ORF) and Olympic Solidarity’s sponsorship made this possible.
“The boxing ring was always my first home. “I spend more time in the ring than with my family,” she declared.
Fears of deportation for Cindy Ngamba
Despite her achievements, she has had to overcome many challenges both inside and outside of the ring, which has taken willpower and self-control to get past.
But Ngamba never wavered in her commitment to her new course in life, no matter how difficult things got.
She stayed inspired to fulfill her dream of winning an Olympic medal by cultivating appreciation and considering alternative outcomes for her life.
When I consider my life, two things come to mind. First of all, I had the impression that immigration would return me to the nation I fled when I was a small child. To prove that I was still in the UK, I had to sign at the Home Office in Manchester once a week. I once spent a lot of time in a female detention camp where I made friends with women who had been there for a very long time and some of whom were going to be deported. I felt powerless,” she remarked.
Therefore, I keep in mind that nothing compares to the pressure I experienced at that detention camp, during a period of extreme hardship, when I feel pressure in boxing. In the end, I just have that drive and that aspiration, and I have faith in my ability to give it my all in every battle since I’ve overcome more difficult circumstances before.
“The second issue is that there are individuals working 9 to 5 jobs they detest. Would I desire this? No. Would you want to use my skill at punching people for a living? Indeed!
Motivating refugees at Paris 2024
Although Ngamba has accomplished a great deal on her own, she is well aware of the bigger picture that her performances create.
Every one of the more than 120 million displaced people who live in the world today can identify in some way with Ngamba’s story.
Her medal served both their interests and her own.
She remarked, “I’m just one of 37 Olympic refugee athletes that were selected to represent the refugee team in the Olympics, and one of millions of people around the world.”
“I hope I was able to demonstrate that, despite being classified as refugees, we are still just people, athletes, and national representatives like everyone else.
“I want them to be motivated by what I accomplished by working so hard and training so much over the years to compete in the Olympics and bring home a medal. I’ve just demonstrated what you can accomplish if you put in the effort, are committed, and have confidence in yourself.