'We sacrificed for Australia': Afghan Invictus Games athletes' asylum bid

Speaking for the first time since missing their flight home in October, six Afghan men who live with disabilities after being wounded in the war say they are owed protection in Australia.

The athletes are hoping to stay in Australia.

The athletes are hoping to stay in Australia. Source: SBS News, supplied

After his father’s death, Aminullah Arsalan joined the Afghan National Army at 18 so he could put food on the table for his family.

But before his 20th birthday, he had lost his leg in a Taliban ambush.

The now 25-year-old is among a group of six Afghan veterans - five athletes and one trainer - who have stayed behind in Australia following the Sydney Invictus Games in October.

The athletes are hoping to stay in Australia.
The athletes are hoping to stay in Australia. Source: SBS News, supplied

The group represented their country at sitting volleyball, as well as in individual events including powerlifting.

But while the rest of the 11 members of the Afghan team got on their flight home, Arsalan and five others fled with little more than the clothes on their backs.

They have been looked after by members of the Australian-Afghan community in Sydney but say they lack housing suitable for their disabilities.

Going home though, isn’t an option.

Read the full story at SBS Pashto.

The athletes talk to SBS News.
The athletes talk to SBS News. Source: SBS News


Share

1 min read

Published

Updated

By Jarni Blakkarly, Abdullah Alikhil



Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Follow SBS News

Download our apps

Listen to our podcasts

Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service

Watch now

Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world