Yahoo TV

STORY: These Iraqi amputees have formed their own soccer team

and are representing their country at international tournaments

Location: Baghdad, Iraq

The team was founded in 2021 by Mohamed al-Najjar

who fought in battles against the militants of the Islamic State

(Mohamed al-Najjar, Founder of the team)

"We had the idea of establishing this team in Iraq, since we have a large number of youth that have disabilities and are soccer lovers, who were deprived of it because of their injuries. Injuries they have sustained due to terrorist activities, or their participation in battles against IS and other battles. So my wish was to create this team, to bring this sport to them and to maybe bring them out of their solitude and depression that they have lived in due to losing a limb."

(Ali Mohammad, Soccer team member)

"This this the first time I block a goal after my injury and becoming a person with disability, I faced difficulties until I got the hang of the game, I used to have a lot of fear, and a lot of hesitance when facing the ball, but now I have adapted to my situation and all is well."