Every athlete qualifying for a major championship has a story of sacrifice, hard work and overcoming difficulties. As the inaugural Asian Youth Championships kick into gear in Doha, however, this adage rings true for some athletes more than the others – and for none more so than the three-strong Yemeni contingent.
The trio of runners – Ebrahim Mohammed Shabil, Yahya Al Fakih and Entesar Muhsin Al Madhfari – had been competing at the IAAF World Cross Country Championships in Guiyang, China with their national team when the conflict erupted in their own country. Besides the obvious cost in human suffering resulting from it, the violence threatened to disrupt the months-long preparations the trio had put in ahead of their Doha performance. Fortunately, the world of sport, and in particular the Qatar Athletics Federation, came to the rescue.
“We did not expect anyone to support us after what happened in our home country,” said Shabil after a fine performance in the 2000m steeplechase, in which he finished fifth. “Qatar and its athletics federation took the initiative to invite us to reside and train in Doha ahead of the championships.”
The hospitality of Qatar, which provided funding for the athletes’ travel, accommodation and sustenance, proved a boon for the steeplechaser. “A month and a half in Doha was the best preparation I could have hoped for this championship. I improved my personal best [to 6:18.88] and I hope this will be an important step towards improving my level.”
Shabil’s teammates, unfortunately, weren’t able to claim similarly impressive results – Al Madhfari closing in last in the 3000m and Al Fakih being disqualified in the same 2000m steeplechase race in which his compatriot was participating; but considering the dire outlook for their preparations a mere two months ago, the sole result of being able to take part in these inaugural Asian Youth Championships was a success.
Al Madhfari’s race was exemplary of the determination of this group of athletes. The 17-year-old, who only found out she would be competing days before the event, collapsed after crossing the finish line, having given her all to complete the 3000m race.
“I was completely exhausted after the end, but I was just happy I could participate in these Championships,” said the runner, who originally took up the sport as a way to keep fit and has been involved in athletics for the last two years.
Like her team-mate, Al Madhfari has words of gratitude for the warm hospitality she was given in Doha. “I want to thank Qatar and the Athletics Federation for the wonderful reception we received. It made us feel as if we were in our home country: the crowd cheered me throughout the whole race. It was an amazing feeling.”
As for Shabil, boosted by this uplifting story of sporting solidarity and his good result in the race, the steeplechaser can now make plans for the rest of his season – a season that could have very well been derailed by the events in Yemen. “I will be taking part in the Arab Youth Athletics Championships in Tunisia next month, hoping to achieve a good result and qualify for the World Championships in China. That would be a dream.”
As his recent experience has shown, dreams do sometimes come true.
