Kima Otung flew the flag for Wales through her music at the World Cup (Picture: FIFA World Cup 2022)

Wales may be out of Qatar’s World Cup following their fatal clash with England but the red dragon kept one toe on side through the inclusive lyrical messages of singer Kima Otung.

The up and coming Welsh-Nigerian performer was offered the chance to represent her country alongside the national team players – who returned to the competition for the first time in 64 years – as part of the UK’s GREAT campaign.

Making history in more ways than one, Kima was proud to wear Team Cymru colours while taking an opportunity to support marginalised groups in Qatar as they learnt to love themselves through her thoughtful lyrics.

Her songs played out in Doha’s Garden of GREAT that was opened at the beginning of the tournament by former professional footballer David Beckham.

Flying the flag for Wales and its ‘progressive’ stance on human rights, Kima shared her pride at standing alongside the athletes in her red jersey.

She told Metro.co.uk: ‘I was really excited because it’s the first time Wales has been in the World Cup in 64 years.

The singer shared her Welsh pride despite the team losing out to England before the final 16 (Picture: FIFA World Cup 2022)

‘It was really exciting news that I would get to represent Wales on the global stage.’

When questioned over why she chose to take part in the event that has raised concerns over the welfare of its citizens, in particular the LGBTQ+ community she explained: ‘I’m fiercely for equal rights, personally and that’s never going to change.

‘I’m very for all of the demonstrations and I’m a big advocate for equal rights and human rights.

‘But at the same time, it’s such a momentous occasion, it’s just like the players who are also playing in the World Cup to represent their countries.

‘I feel proud to be representing Wales and the UK on the global stage.’

Kima uses her lyrics to inspire inclusion and self-belief among marginalised communities (Picture: FIFA World Cup 2022)

Wales lost out to England 3-0 in what was their final game in the Qatari stadium (Picture: Getty Images)

Speaking on how she planned to use the newfound platform to help marginalised communities at this time, Kim – who is an immigrant herself – outlined that her work ‘revolves’ around the idea of progressive self-love and inclusion.

She explained: ‘When you grow up as an immigrant, in a place where you don’t really see yourself you go through a journey of being quite proactive in your self love and building that for yourself.

‘So it’s actually why I started doing music in the first place for women and marginalised groups to help them realise their greatness.

‘My goal with my music is to help people have an almost delusional self love and self belief.

‘I want to be that voice that’s like a best friend in your ear telling you that you’ve got this, you’re beautiful, you’re capable.’

Belting out self-love anthems across the Doha desert, Kima was on a mission to express both her Welsh pride and her Nigerian heritage that led her on a journey of acceptance, something she credited her country for allowing her to come to terms with.

She said: ‘I really believe that Wales is very for equal rights.

‘It’s my hometown. It’s very progressive. So I am proud to be representing that on the global stage.’

Chatting about representation, Kima underlined how important it is for younger generations to see people like them on an international platform.

‘I think it’s so important to see yourself reflected and see that those two cultures can come together and can exist in one person, which is me.’

As for her country’s performance on the pitch, the singer later shared her dismay at their early exit but admitted everyone was just so proud to have made it to Qatar in the first place.

Kima’s last words: ‘I’m really gutted that Wales lost to England, but in all honesty I’m just so proud that we made it to the World Cup at all, and next time maybe we can aim to stay in a little longer.

‘Got to take these things one step at a time!’