Amid Violence & War, Afghan Para Athletes Keep High Spirits
The wheelchair basketball team trains thrice a week and aims to play in an international tournament.
Life can only make the journey more difficult for you, but it definitely can’t take away the spirit you live with. These men in Afghanistan faced the adversity of war, but their spirits couldn’t be daunted.
54 amputees from Jalalabad, Afghanistan showed off their wheelchair-basketball prowess. These men, many of whom lost their limbs in landmine explosions in Afghanistan, train three times with the hope of playing in an international tournament.
As the team’s manager pointed out, "[among] these 54 players, the majority of [them] are amputees, double-amputees and they have lost both their legs in landmine explosions."
One player said that the team hopes "to play in an international tournament, especially in the American NBA league." He explained that "there is a lot of talent" among the people who are practicing this sport throughout the whole country, but given the war, they fear they cannot demonstrate their capabilities in any international competition.
"Every Afghan with disability has the capacity to develop, but due to the war and insecurities, we can’t find a way to [reach] international leagues," he added.
Video editor: Ashutosh bhardwaj
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