Competing against the odds

NANJING — The odds are stacked against 17-year-old Afghani athlete Farahnaz Yaqubi.

Not just because she is from a country racked with sectarian violence, corruption and an ever-deepening political crisis, but also because she is the only competitor representing her country at the Nanjing Youth Olympic Games (YOG).

On 17 Aug, she lost her taekwondo quarter-final bout (-44kg class) against Thailand’s Panipa Wongpattanakit, who would go on to win the gold medal, but in a way, results in competition are of secondary importance for the Afghani.

“I want to do this, and I want to change the perception of women in Afghanistan because we are brave women,” she said.

Prior to flying to China, she had a lot of persuading to do, starting at home with her parents.

“It is going to be safe, much safer,” Farahnaz told them before heading to Nanjing, nearly 5,000km away.

“The situation is not good in my country, and it is important for me, especially being a girl, to be out of the country and at an international event doing what I love,” said Farahnaz, who covers herself with a head scarf, long-sleeved top and trouser outfit.

It is Farahnaz’s first time out of her country, qualifying for her first event via a wildcard, and she is here with her coach Salma Hussaini and Chef-de-Mission Hashmatulla Rasa from the Afghanistan National Olympic Committee.

“The International Olympic Committee (IOC) covers the expenses for flights and accommodation for a team of up to five members from each participating nation in an Olympic Games,” Rasa explained.

“Farahnaz could not have been more thankful. There are other things our government is more worried about, such as security and economic issues. At present, sport is probably one of the last things that is important to the country.”

Farahnaz was inspired to take up taekwondo at the age of 13, when she saw compatriot Rohullah Nikpai winning a bronze medal in the sport at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games — the country’s first Olympic medal, which was followed by a second bronze by the same athlete at the 2012 London Olympics.

“I know it is a big dream, but I want to be the next Olympic medallist for my country,” said Farahnaz, who as her country’s only athlete, was also the flagbearer during the opening ceremony.

“It is hard, but fortunately my family allows me to attend training four days every week, and I am winning gold and silver in tournaments in my country to prove myself.”

Under the Taliban rule in Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001, women were treated as inferior to their male counterparts and were forbidden to work or leave the house. Prohibition of sports of any kind was also implemented by the radical Islamic ruling body.

However, the fall of the Taliban meant that women now have equal rights in employment and education, among other things.

“It was hard growing up. I had fear sometimes, but I am not scared now. I want to fight — for taekwondo and for the country,” said Farahnaz.

“I tell that to other athletes I meet here in Nanjing when they ask me about my country. Many people give me a thumbs-up or a high-five.”

That recognition proves her success in spreading the word of her cause, and despite not winning a medal, there are bigger games at stake for the young Afghani who embodies the Olympic spirit, against all the odds.