Sudanese-born graduate overcomes physical and language barriers to break into sports media

15 July 2025

A Cardiff Metropolitan University graduate, who moved to Cardiff from Sudan at age 15, has overcome a physical disability, language barriers and a late course change to pursue his passion for sports media.

A man in a graduation gown and cap sits in a wheelchair, smiling proudly at his achievement.

Born with spina bifida, Omer Hagomer is a wheelchair user and credits sport, particularly wheelchair basketball, with shaping his progress.

Omer is now marking the end of his Sport Media degree with a standout CV, having already worked with Channel 4, covered major rugby tournaments and secured a behind-the-scenes role at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.

After arriving in the UK with limited English, Omer enrolled at Willows High School in Tremorfa, Cardiff. He credits the school with playing a key role in his development in both sport and language. Omer improved his English at the school’s English after-school club, which is specifically for children developing it as their second language. The school also introduced him to Cardiff Met’s wheelchair basketball team - a team he’s represented since 2017.

“I’ve always loved sport, especially basketball and wrestling,” Omer said. “But it wasn’t until the pandemic gave me space to rethink things that I realised I wanted to build a career in it. When I found the Sport Media course at Cardiff Met, I knew I’d found my way in.”

Originally starting a degree in medical engineering at Cardiff University, Omer transferred to Sport Media during clearing. Since then, he’s built an impressive track record, gaining experience as a floor manager and reporter through Channel 4 and Media Atom, and as a runner at the Paris Paralympics.

He credits his mentor, Cardiff Met lecturer Joe Towns, with opening doors: “He’s seen potential in me I didn’t see in myself. He’s pushed me toward opportunities I wouldn’t have had the confidence to go for otherwise.”

After graduation, Omer plans to take a gap year to learn Welsh and expand into bilingual broadcasting, while also continuing basketball training with hopes of returning to the Paralympics as a competitor.