By Shaikhah Al Tamimi (OCA Young Reporter from Kuwait)
Hangzhou, China, September 30, 2023: Afghanistan’s women volleyball team displayed during their opening match against Kazakhstan admirable modes of resilience, courage and high spirit.
Separated from their families and prior to vigorous training sessions in Tehran, Iran, these women embodied the true spirit of Olympism as Saturday’s match serves as a reminder to the team and the entire world that women also belong in athletic fields.
From the beginning of the match until the very end, the Afghan women remained calm and collected despite the immense pressure placed on them just by defying all odds and risks of being on the court with their Kazakhstan counterparts.
And, despite losing the match today, I know that these women gained something just as valuable and that is the respect and gratitude of all women worldwide, especially in Afghanistan, for simply choosing to fight for their right of playing sports and enjoying an active lifestyle filled with supportive comradery.
Today’s match serves as a reminder to little girls in Kabul and worldwide that they, too, can achieve such great feats and reach Olympic grounds because of the simple fact that it’s a given right.
Armored with the experience of today’s match, Afghanistan’s team will be playing against Japan tomorrow and will be enormously cheered on by all women worldwide, in celebration of female dauntlessness and hearty strength.