8 Afghans wounded warriors qualify for Invictus Games

KABUL (Pajhwok): Eight Afghan wounded warriors have been selected to represent their country from a field of more than 40 competitors for participation in the 2018 Invictus Games in Sydney.

The Resolute Support mission said on Sunday the injured warriors were selected at its headquarters during the national qualifier on Sunday for the Invictus Games to be held in Australia in October.

Gen. John Nicholson, Resolute Support commander, was quoted as saying in a statement from the NATO mission: “Invictus is the Latin word for unconquered, and that is what you are. “You are Invictus.”

The top Americcan general in the country said: “The brave Afghan warriors who continue to fight representing their nation to the world is undefeated.”

After fierce and inspiring competition in three events, indoor rowing, powerlifting and sitting volleyball, Afghan National Army Sergeant Major Roshan Safi, from the National Security Council Command, announced the eight qualifiers.

“I talked to the athletes and many of them had one wish - they wish they could get back in the fight. They truly will never give up,” remarked Safi, who said: “The wounded warriors here are making history.

“They decided to write the history of Afghanistan when they put on the uniform, and they will continue to represent this country when they head to Australia for the 2018 Invictus Games. They will continue to fight.”

According to the statement, the participants who will advance to Sydney include Aba Jan, Abdul Hanan, Abdul Waheed, Abdul Wali, Aminullah, Ryaz, Saifur Rahman, Sohail.

 “I will remain in this country to help build it until the day that I die,” said Abdul Hanan. “I am very proud and I am extremely happy to be representing Afghanistan in Australia to the entire world. I will represent this beautiful flag, but truly I am very small to have such a big role.”

The Invictus Games are an international sporting event for wounded, ill and injured servicemen and women to inspire recovery, support rehabilitation and generate a wider understanding and respect for those who serve their country.

 “I'm very excited for the Invictus Games,” said Sohail. “It is my first time that I am selected in this game, and I'm very happy to represent Afghanistan in Australia and show the world that Afghans are not defeatable. We will stand up to represent Afghanistan in the best way possible, and we ask the people of Afghanistan to support us.”

 “Remember you are not alone,” said Nicholson. “We are with you. We are with the soldiers and police of Afghanistan. We are with you and your families and all the Afghan people in our desire for peace. Together we will win against terrorism and restore stability and peace to Afghanistan that is so richly deserved by the people of this country.”

The Invictus Games were established in 2014 by Prince Harry following his inspirational visit to the Warrior Games in Colorado in 2013. It was at that event that he saw how the power of sport could help wounded warriors physically, psychologically and socially. Afghanistan has participated in each competition since the Games were founded.

The 2018 Invictus Games will be the largest to date with 18 countries, 11 adaptive sports and over 500 competitors.

 “Many of the nations competing in Sydney have served here in Afghanistan, or are currently serving to achieve peace and stability in Afghanistan,” said Ms. Diana Shi, Australian Consul General. “Last year in Toronto, Afghanistan’s team won its first medals, a silver and bronze and were presented the “Best Team” award for 2017.”

pr/mud