The Athletes of Afghanistan

Afghans Empowered sits down with The Hiatus Foundation, a non profit organization from the UK that is dedicated to supporting young athletes in Kabul and Bamiyan, to discuss the emergence of action-sports teams in Afghanistan. We talk about how these teams maintain a safe, outdoor space: one that is not only free from the violence and dangers of ongoing conflict, but also free from the scrutiny of the community dwellers who disapprove of these athletes' talents and passions. What do action sports mean for these young Afghans, and how can international communities support their needs? We dive into the discussion of the influence of sports as motivation and hope, as these young Afghans dream of a future of safety and security for their beloved country. Sports unite these exceptional individuals and provide a space for learning tolerance and equality, as these athletes put aside the ethnic and religious differences that have torn their country apart, for one common goal: to play sports. We conclude the conversation with our discussion of the narratives played about Afghanistan, and how we hope to empower positive narratives that highlight the successes, talents, and resilience of the Afghan people, from education, the arts, or action sports. Empowering the narrative, and bringing awareness to these communities are part of our goal to support the underrepresented populations of Afghanistan who are otherwise invisible to international government organizations and non profits. The Hiatus Foundation's mission is to continue providing sports equipment to these athletes, and with our help, can share their mission for promoting visibility about action sports in Afghanistan, to empower and enable the future of young Afghans with the help of the international community. The organization looks forward to coordinating a project to help the first Afghan man and woman successfully climb to the summit of Mt. Everest.