"I have loved football since I was six years old"

To celebrate SBS's 50th anniversay, we travelled to Toowoomba, Queensland for an Outside Broadcast. During our visit, we engaged with members from the Ezidi/Yazidi community, including Sulaiman Zandinan who arrived in Australia with his parents and siblings in 2018 as refugees. Since his childhood, he has nurtured a deep passion for football.

Sulaiman Zandinan Credit: SBS

Sulaiman is currently officiating matches in the Queensland FQPL1 and FQPL2. He aims to one day serve as a referee for the national football team of Australia.

He and his family endured captivity under ISIS for 19 months, experiencing significant hardship during that time.

Sulaiman Zandinan Credit: David Lobwein/DSL photography

Sulaiman Zandinan (in black) Credit: David Lobwein/DSL Phtography

Ji bo bihîstina babetên din serî li sbs.com.au/language/kurdish/ku/guhdar-bike