INTERVIEW: Former athlete Roman Abasy fled the Taliban - now he brings sports to refugees, migrants in Sydney

A connection to Taekwondo, allowed Roman Abasy to achieve his dream of representing Afghanistan on the world stage, winning a bronze medal at the 2014 Asian Games. But the fall of Kabul to the Taliban in August 2021, would take his life in a different direction. His post-athlete work involved dedicating himself to human rights advocacy, founding a charity to help promote access to sports, particularly for young women. That work made him a target of the Taliban - and with the help of the Australian Olympic Committee, he resettled in Australia as a refugee. Three years on, he has returned to helping improve access to sports at the grassroots level for refugees and migrants. He spoke with Biwa Kwan about his journey - and the power of sport to help refugees succeed.

Roman Abasy (centre, back row) is pictured holding a football with participants of the sports program that he co-ordinates for non-profit Reclink Australia Source: Supplied

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