Iraqi Team Muhamed

This is Muhamed Gasim. He is 25 years old and ranks N°1 in his sport, in his country. Almost anywhere in the world and for almost any sport this could mean being famous, as well as traveling the world to participate in big tournaments. But that is not Muhamed's life. Muhamed comes from Irak and is ranked N°1 wheelchair tennis player in his country.

On March 2003, Muhamed was playing outside with his friends when a cluster bomb hit the ground next to him. A fragment of the bomb went into his spine and cost him the use of his legs. The reason you can see Muhamed standing on the group picture is that he has been working hard with the help of his father to try to recover his ability to walk again. What seemed impossible 6 months ago when I first met him is now a reality. He can walk again. His recovery is very much linked to his efforts but also to the fact that since 2005 Muhamed has joined the national Iraqi wheelchair tennis federation. The national Iraqi team was created in 2003 with 5 players from around the country. In 2010 there are 65 players from which 11 are women and 12 are juniors. Wheelchair tennis gave him a second start when he needed it the most. It gave him the opportunity to keep on practicing sports despite his handicap. It gave him back his dignity as a human being and has given him a future. Muhamed has to cross his town of Bagdad everyday to be able to reach the only secured stadium where he can train. This is part of his everyday burden to be able to reach his goal which is to get back on his feet and walk like he used to.

This year was the first World Cup Team attended by the Iraqi team. They didn't win, but they have learned a lot and they met hundreds of people playing successfully and sharing the same handicaps and giving them even more hope and energy for the future.

Despite the bombs, the insecurity, the isolation of the country there is still hope and Muhamed and his team mates are the proof that human beings are the key to the solution.

Group photo

Top line from left to right Hassinen Salim – Coach for the National Iraqi wheelchair tennis team Muhamed Gasim – Irak N°1 wheelchair tennis player

Nasser Madhi - Irak N°3 wheelchair tennis player Ali Kadhem – Referee Nadhim Sadkham – Secretary Abdulkareem Abdulhassen – President of the Iraqi wheelchair tennis federation Abdulkareem Jabbar Nasser – Coach

Bottom line left to right Muhamed Talib Thialig – Player Hussein Khalil – Player Arif Abood Ahmed - Irak N°2 wheelchair tennis player Hussein Hamid Hubl – Player, Junior.