By: Nangialai Osmani
Tokyo Paralympics games are about to take place in upcoming two weeks, and there will be two disabled athletes, from Afghanistan, who will be representing Afghan disabled athletes in Para-taekwondo and para-athletics fields.
Talking to The Kabul Times, head of the disabled athletes competition department, Master Arian Sediqi, said: “This historical event will take place within two upcoming weeks. Fortunately, there will be two talented Afghan disabled athletes: Ms Zaki Khudadadi and Hussain Rasooli, who will be representing Afghanistan in the Para-athletics and Para-taekwondo fields.” He added: “Our athletes have done professional exercises. It is a huge honor for the Afghan nation that our athletes are representing 34 million citizens in the Paralympics. I hope they win the Olympics medal for our country”.
Representing the Afghan nation, Afghan Para-taekwondo athlete, Zaki Khudadadi, thus expressed her feelings in Tokyo: “I am so happy that I could find a way to the Olympics”. She added: “I am the only disabled woman athlete who participates in the Para-Olympics games. My ambition is to win an Olympics medal for the Afghan disabled athletic community”.
Thus Hussain Rasooli, another Afghan disabled athlete who will be representing Afghanistan in the Para-Olympics, expressed his feelings: “I am the only Afghan disabled athlete who will be representing Afghanistan in para-athletics for 100-meters long competition in Japan Para-Olympics”.
Sports have a unique place amongst the countries that pave the way for their athletes to represent their identity in the sports competitions that take place in the world. Any athlete who represents Afghanistan in an international athletic competition draws everybody’s attention in the world— In fact, they represent Afghans’ identity, unity, and friendship all around the world.
