Afghan army soldiers who lost their legs due to landmines get ready at a military base on the outskirts of Kabul to compete in the Invictus Games which will be held in Canada this September.
The seven soldiers were selected out of dozens of wounded Afghan military personnel to compete in the international Paralympics-style event along with service members from 17 different countries.
It is the largest team Afghanistan has ever sent to the Games.
“I am so delighted to go to Canada with my friends. We wish to win the competitions there and raise Afghanistan’s flag all over the world,” said Mohammad Esa a double amputee former soldier on the volleyball team as quoted in a report by Reuters.
“We are well prepared for the upcoming games. We also have experience from previous games so we are providing good training to our athletes here in order to make them ready for the competition and God willing they will bring good results for their country,” said Saeed Mirzaee, coach of the team.
At least 70 service members of the Afghan National Army (ANA) attended volleyball and weightlifting selection competitions for the Invictus Games 2017 at the Resolute Support headquarters in Kabul in May 13.
The Invictus Games is an international Paralympic-style multi-sport event for armed services personnel which will be held in Canada.
Source Tolonews
