Nilofar Bayat managed to leave Kabul thanks to the management of a journalist and the authorities of Spain, where he received two offers from clubs to join their ranks.
Nilofar Bayat, captain of the Afghan wheelchair basketball team, managed to leave Kabul and run away from the taliban who took power in the country, as confirmed by the EFE agency to sources from the Higher Sports Council (CSD).
His departure from Afghanistan was coordinated by the CSD, together with the Ministry of Culture and Sports and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs from Spain, from the first moment the Bayat case became known.
The club Bidaideak Bilbao BSR reported that “it opens its doors to the Afghan player, Nilofar Bayat, so that she can reside in Bilbao and play for his team from next season ”.
Open doors. We are all in the same boat. pic.twitter.com/mOOCuQmUmL
– Bidaideak Bilbao BSR (@BilbaoBSR) August 18, 2021
The CB Minusval Melilla, from Group C of the Second Division of wheelchair basketball, also offered to host the captain of the Afghan national team, according to Spanish media.
Bayat asked for help to leave her country like thousands of women, who have feared for her life since the taliban took kabul and they controlled most of Afghanistan.
AFP
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His life has not been easy. You started using a wheelchair more than 20 years ago, precisely because of a missile launched by the Taliban, who also wounded his father and killed his brother, as reported The reason from Spain.
Since the crisis broke out, he knew that his life and that of her husband, captain of the Afghan national basketball team, they were in danger, so he began to ask for help.
Journalist Antonio Pampliega, specialized in conflict zones, helped her by being the bridge between the athlete and the international authorities.
The most beautiful photo in the world. Nilofar and Ramish inside the airport. Thanks to @PalomadelrioTVE @CarolPecha @aambros @ jgarbajosa15 @sportgob. I can’t stop crying with happiness. Two out … I still have two more families to get out of that shit. pic.twitter.com/kUZlGGgBrB
– Antonio Pampliega (@APampliega) August 18, 2021
“The Taliban are going to enter Kabul. We are very afraid. My life is ending, Antonio. I can’t stay here”Was the fear that Bayat expressed to him.
My friend Nilofar writes me desperately from Kabul. “The Taliban are going to enter Kabul. We are very afraid. My life is ending, Antonio. I cannot stay here.” Nilo works in @ICRC , is the captain of the national wheelchair basketball team and is studying law.
– Antonio Pampliega (@APampliega) August 15, 2021
The story had a happy ending and both the Paralympic athlete and her husband they will be able to start a new life in Spain.