They used to be spindly young men with broken bodies and broken spirits. Some had spinal injuries from car accidents, others had genetic problems from birth, and far too many were the victims of Afghanistan’s most intractable problems: landmines and polio.
However, drawn together by a shared desire to not be held back, a dozen disabled Afghans have managed to start their lives anew, thanks to wheelchair basketball. Next week, the country’s best players will travel to Italy to take part in their first international tournament. Most have never been outside of Afghanistan. When they face the national under-22 teams of Germany, Spain and Italy they might not win, nor even get close, but it promises to be a special moment anyway.
Mohammad Saber Sultani,