Eight Afghan wounded warriors were selected to represent their country from a field of more than 40 competitors at NATO’s Resolute Support headquarters during the national qualifier for the Invictus Games Sydney 2018, presented by Jaguar Land Rover.
“Invictus is the Latin word for unconquered, and that is what you are, unconquered,” said Gen. John Nicholson, Resolute Support commander. “You are Invictus. The brave Afghan warriors who continue to fight representing their nation to the world, showing them that you are undefeated and Afghanistan 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,” said Safi. “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.”
The participants who will advance to Sydney include: Aba Jan, Abdul Hanan, Abdul Waheed, Abdul Wali, Aminullah, Ryaz, Saifurahman, Sohail.
“I will remain in this country to help build this country until the day that I die,” said Abdul Hanan, Invictus Games Sydney 2018 participant on the Afghanistan team. “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, both currently serving and veterans. The Games use the power of sport 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, Invictus Games Sydney 2018 participant on the Afghanistan team. “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.”
Throughout the day service members assigned to the Resolute Support mission came to cheer on the participants and witness the fierce competition. Fellow soldiers from around the world had the opportunity to thank the wounded warriors for their bravery and dedication.
“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.
“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.”
Established in 2015, Resolute Support (RS) is a NATO-led, non-combat mission to train, advise and assist the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF), who assumed nationwide responsibility for Afghanistan’s security following the conclusion of the previous NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) mission. Its purpose is to help the Afghan security forces and institutions develop the capacity to defend Afghanistan and protect its citizens in a sustainable manner.
By: Cmdr. Lesley Lykins, Resolute Support Public Affairs