Image copyright AFP Image caption The runners will compete at the 2015 World Human Rights Games in Delhi
For almost two decades, the Taliban have tried to deny Afghanistan sportsmen their chance to live and compete.
But 86 people defied the hardline Islamist government’s attempts to stop them and helped them flee the country.
Now, the people they helped get away have gone on to shine a light on the bloodshed, abuse and deprivation Afghanistan has endured under the group’s brutal rule.
Hosting the 15th World Human Rights Games in India next year, Afghanistan will celebrate these “sailors, marathon runners, chess masters, runners, tennis players, volleyball players, wrestlers and judokas” in the language of their own ethnic origin.
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The games have already attracted attention. Tennis player Nasir Zarkozi told BBC News: “I’m feeling very proud to be representing my country, Afghanistan. I am expecting great results.”
Each candidate made a written declaration of intent to run in Delhi in the 2019 contest.
They were not rejected on grounds of culture, politics or religion.
‘Long struggle’
Alongside the 86, there were also five people who helped make it happen:
Repatriate Dawlat-Umar Manikzai. The runner, who has reached the World Marathon Championships twice, fled Afghanistan with his wife and daughter in 2006 after the Taliban threatened to kill him and his family if he did not stop training. He now lives in Switzerland. He told the BBC: “It was a very long struggle to get here. A lot of people helped me. I hope that many other athletes in the country will follow my footsteps to help us to win medals for the country and also for the world.”
The runner, who has reached the World Marathon Championships twice, fled Afghanistan with his wife and daughter in 2006 after the Taliban threatened to kill him and his family if he did not stop training. He now lives in Switzerland. He told the BBC: “It was a very long struggle to get here. A lot of people helped me. I hope that many other athletes in the country will follow my footsteps to help us to win medals for the country and also for the world.” Combatant Abul Haidar Zareh. The driver is in prison in India and will eventually serve four years for working for a sports charity. He helps Afghanistan’s one disabled stand-up comedian make the transition from frustration to venting with wry humour – his joke about an alligator rolling into a swimming pool gets a laugh on YouTube. He told the BBC: “I am a sportsman and I helped the organisers to get an opportunity to organise the games.”
The driver is in prison in India and will eventually serve four years for working for a sports charity. He helps Afghanistan’s one disabled stand-up comedian make the transition from frustration to venting with wry humour – his joke about an alligator rolling into a swimming pool gets a laugh on YouTube. He told the BBC: “I am a sportsman and I helped the organisers to get an opportunity to organise the games.” He remains in Afghanistan and had an interview with the Afghanistan Times ahead of Sunday’s official arrival of athletes. He says he is happy the Afghan government is supporting the sporting community. “I’m very proud of the Afghan people who helped me and who came here,” he said. “I want to thank them.”
He remains in Afghanistan and had an interview with the Afghanistan Times ahead of Sunday’s official arrival of athletes. He says he is happy the Afghan government is supporting the sporting community. “I’m very proud of the Afghan people who helped me and who came here,” he said. “I want to thank them.” Sports personality Shakil Afridi. Shakil Afridi is the world’s most famous blind athlete. He was once president of Afghanistan’s national gymnastics team. He was robbed of his life by the Taliban, who had targeted him because of his Sikh faith. Now he runs blind to show the world it is possible to live free of fear. He told the BBC: “This is my country and Afghanistan is my home. I want my country to get rid of war and I want Afghans to live in peace and have more sports activities in their life. “I hope all athletes that come here will contribute and help the country.”
Now he’s back, he can smile again.
Afghanistan is set to send a team of 50 athletes to the Games, because thousands have been injured or killed while fighting in wars since 2001.
But they will not have the chance to compete.
Ilyas Akbari was the only runner sent. He got shot at when he tried to cross the border from Pakistan in 2015.
Image copyright AFP Image caption Irfan Gul was the only volleyball player. He got shot at when he