DAMASCUS, Oct. 24 (Xinhua) -- Despite facing adversity, 13 Syrian athletes with disabilities are set to compete at the ongoing Asian Para Games in China.

Issa Hasan, a member of Syria's national para badminton team, found solace and purpose in the sport after a life-altering accident in 2017.

"I took up sport in 2017 after my accident. I chose badminton for the joy, activity, agility and enthusiasm it brings. I had never heard of the sport before, but I stumbled upon it on social media and liked the idea," he told Xinhua.

Despite initial doubts and being unfamiliar with the sport, Hassan's unwavering commitment and passion for the game propelled him to conquer his internal struggles.

"When I started training, it seemed almost impossible, and I didn't expect to overcome the obstacles within me. But I did it, continued my training, and finally reached the level of the national championships," he said.

From local championships in Syria to securing silver and bronze medals in the West Asia Championship held in Bahrain in 2022, Hasan's journey culminated in his qualification for the prestigious Asian Games, a testament to his indomitable spirit and relentless pursuit of excellence.

As he prepares to participate in the Asian Para Games, Hassan already set his eyes on the Paralympics.

"I have absolute faith that I can learn a lot from this experience in the Asian Para Games and even achieve more goals in the 2024 and 2028 Paralympics," he said.

On the other hand, Feras Shaheen, also from Syria's para badminton team, discovered his love for sports at a young age.

Following a significant injury, Shaheen wholeheartedly embraced Paralympic sports, marking the beginning of an awe-inspiring journey.

"After my injury, I decided that sport would be not just a part of my life, but would be my entire life, because I have loved it since I was young," he told Xinhua.

Shaheen started training in 2016 and participated in several local tournaments, where he usually secured first place.

He also won the gold medal in the para badminton at the West Asia Championships in 2022 and the Syrian Para Games.

"All of this was achieved through training, perseverance, and inner determination to achieve greater accomplishments," he said.

"It is a great honor to take part in the Asian Games with players from other countries and regions, and it will serve as a motivation for every athlete with disabilities in Syria to aspire to reach the same level," he said.

Both athletes emphasized the profound impact of sports on their well-being, urging individuals facing similar challenges to embrace sports and set ambitious goals, regardless of the obstacles. Enditem

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