SHILLONG: A country ravaged by decades of internal war, poverty and mismanagement, Afghanistan has not had much to cheer about for years now.
However, the situation does not retain the right to deny the youngsters of that country their share of dreams and aspirations.
Participation is sometimes more important than winning. This is exactly true for war-torn Afghanistan which has sent a small 30-member contingent to India for the 12th South Asian Games.
Three male and two female members comprise the Afghan badminton squad, which also has a coach and an official.
Afghan shuttler Said Md Kabir Mirzad, who spoke on behalf of his coach who speaks only Pashtun, said that for the Afghan contingent, being able to participate in an event of the magnitude of South Asian Games meant a lot.
It was also a dream come true for the young Afghan shuttlers to rub shoulders with their famed Indian counterparts.
“We don’t have proper facilities back home, not even a proper place to play. Without expert trainers, we learn or take up skills from Youtube,” said Mirzad underlining the importance of this trip to India for the athletes.
In a country which has taboo over women taking up sports, Afghanistan boasts of two female shuttlers in their ranks. Zaiwab Yari and Lidaa Saraj represent the aspirations of the modern Afghan youngster who hopes against hope that the strife-torn society will someday make way for peace to prevail.
“It’s difficult for females to take to sports in our country, but luckily there are certain pockets where things are a bit better, and that’s where we thrive,” said the young Afghan shuttler.
