CINDY-RELLA DREAM CONTINUES

The Cameroon-born boxer who moved to United Kingdom in search of better life is now the flagbearer of Refugee Olympic Team

- INDRANEEL DAS

CINDY Ngamba couldn't lose. Not today. Not in the first fight of the 75kg event at the North Arena in Paris. She fought when she moved to the United Kingdom from Cameroon seeking a better life. She fought with her destiny when she was sent to the detention camp over paperwork issues and deportation looked an inevitability. She fought as an independent refugee athlete for a place in the Olympics and qualified - the first one to do so.

Cindy's story is one of triumph over poignancy and hardship. A story of resilience and hope an emotional roller coaster ride. Like she would say, "I have seen hardship live." Pain in the ring acts like a balm, boxing liberates her and gives her identity. Since Cindy doesn't have a British passport, she represented the Olympic Refugee team and was chosen as the flagbearer. Every Olympic step had been a wild dream.