• Українська
  • Русский
  • English
Where there is no law, but every man does what is right in his own eyes, there is the least of real liberty
Henry M. Robert

THOSE WHO VANQUISHED PAIN Afghans now battle on the soccer field

13 November, 2012 - 00:00

In the Spartak stadium the first international amputees' soccer tournament is taking place with Kyiv's Afghan and Invasport teams vying with counterparts from Russia and England. Our correspondent spoke with the head of Afghan, Rostyslav Dutov:

Q.: Rostyslav, is soccer a form of self-expression and self-affirmation for you?

A.: We affirmed ourselves long ago, there, in Afghanistan. It cost me and my friends most dear. These games are in memory of those we left behind forever.

Q.: Is Afghanistan already forgotten? Wasn't it so long ago?

A.: No, it is still with us. We have dedicated this tournament to the tenth anniversary of the withdrawal of Soviet forces from that country and the seventh of Ukrainian independence. You know what makes one happy – the strength of human friendship.

Meanwhile, there are also many invalids were many who fought in that much-suffering country in the other side and who may well have lost the chance to play soccer even after returning home. War in Afghanistan continues, the only difference being that now the Afghans are fighting each other. And the foreigners supporting one faction or another are not sending their soldiers to hell.

Photo by Valery Miloserdov, The Day

 

Rubric: