by Sanaa Kamal

GAZA, July 15 (Xinhua) -- Full of vigor, a group of 26 amputee children resumed weekly soccer training, after three months of suspension caused by the lockdown imposed on the blockaded coastal enclave amid the raging COVID-19.

The training was organized by the Palestinian Amputee Football Association in cooperation with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) at al-Durra stadium in Dir al-Balah in central Gaza.

It came for the second week in a row, after Hamas-run Gaza government eased the precautionary measures.

On March 22, the local authorities declared a state of emergency, imposing a series of precautionary restrictions. Since then, all mosques, universities, schools and restaurants have been shut down, and public gatherings have been prohibited.

As a result, all sports activities in the coastal enclave had been suspended. Athletes complained about the boredom as they stayed home without any training or match.

Aisha al-Abadla, from the city of Khan Yonis in southern Gaza, was one of them. Like many others, she breathed a sigh of relief after the association's director informed her that the weekly exercises would resume.

The 11-year-old left-hand amputee told Xinhua that she was "eagerly awaiting the moment" that she would restore her daily routine and meet her teammates.

"During the lockdown period, I felt sad because I missed my exercises as well as not being able to join social activities," said the congenital disabled, a goalkeeper in her team.

Aisha said she is proud of herself. She has succeeded in being an idol amputee for her peers in the community, hoping to represent Palestine in world matches.

Dalia al-Astal, Aisha's mother, who used to attend all training, told Xinhua that the football team of amputees has changed "the society's view towards people with disabilities," especially the high numbers in the Gaza Strip as a result of wars.

"It is important for parents to encourage their children to integrate into society by helping them gain confidence in their health, physical and mental capabilities," the mother of three said.

Meanwhile, Weam al-Astal from Khan Younis city, who lost her left leg during the war in 2014, told Xinhua that the psychological reinforcement she received from her family and the team after the injury was the main reason for not giving in to depression.

"After joining the soccer team, I became more energetic and positive about life, as I gained many friends," said the 15-year-old amputee, while kicking the ball with her right foot.

"Life goes on despite of our disability," al-Astal said. "We can live well, if we believe in our capabilities and invest our multiple talents to become more distinguished in our society."

The optimistic girl hopes to become a famous amputee football player around the world, or a doctor to treat the Palestinian amputees.

The amputee football team has 80 players, and 26 of them are child amputees, whether because of birth defects or war injuries, said Suhair Zaqout, spokesperson of ICRC in Gaza.

"Through this team, we aim to integrate children with disabilities into society by helping them restore self-confidence through the psychological support we provide to them and creating social conditions for them to show their talents," said Zaqout.

"They are the real champions in our society. We hope that an official team will be formed for them to represent Palestine in the international and Arab matches," she added. Enditem

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