Hisham Abdulkhaliq, a young man with disabilities from Mosul province dreams of competing in Iraqi, Arab, and Asian tournaments.
Abdulkhaliq lost one of his legs during the conflict against ISIS. He currently works as a taxi driver in Mosul but dedicates four days a week to training alongside nine others at the Mosul Sports and Youth Hall.
They have formed a team with the goal of joining international tournaments, aiming to actively engage in the community and social life.
"When I see my children, it motivates me to push through my fatigue and work harder, despite having a simple job as a taxi driver," said Abdulkhaliq.
Abdulkhaliq is married and has a daughter and a son. He spends nearly 10 hours driving a taxi every day. His main wish is for his children's happiness. He has requested a prosthetic leg.
"I'm asking the country to help me obtain a prosthetic leg so that I can work. I have a finance and banking degree and wish for a job that matches my qualifications," said Abdulkhaliq. "I've been renting a house for more than 10 years, and right now, I'm working as a taxi driver."
Abdulkhaliq often takes walks through the devastated neighborhoods of Mosul, where he reflects on his memories.
"This place holds my memories. I used to live here, but the war changed everything. It destroyed our home, left me with disabilities, and I lost a leg. Because of those fights, all I can say is, 'Hasbi Allah wa ni'mal Wakeel,’" said Abdulkhaliq.
Abdulkhaliq goes to the gym four days a week, training at the Mosul volleyball hall along with a team of 10 players with almost similar disabilities. They've formed a team with the aim of competing in national championships across Iraq, Arab countries, and even in Asia.
"Through sports, we want to feel better and be a part of our community. We don't want to think of places as ruined, whether they're public or private; we all join in, even if some of us have lost limbs or have other physical challenges,” said Abdulkhaliq.
He went on to say, "When we play together, we feel great, like friends and brothers, and it helps our minds and bodies."
These 10 players usually arrange a match amongst themselves. Despite having both legs amputated, Safwan Tofiq doesn't give up and continues to play.
"I love volleyball and always play it with my friends to help them because they are young and victims of the war against the terrorist ISIS. Most of these players have been targeted by ISIS," expressed Tofiq.
"In the past, when I was at home and without friends, I was very mentally ill and tired all the time. Then I went there and we met, we talked about our pain," explained Abdulkhaliq. "After we started exercising, we relaxed and forgot that we had lost our limbs. We were very calm."
During the three years of ISIS fighting in Mosul, a large number of young people were killed, some of whom lost their limbs and eyes and still suffer from the pain.
