Five athletes representing the World Athletics Refugee Team competed at the African Senior Athletics Championships in Accra, Ghana, from June 20-24, aiming for personal bests and continental glory despite backgrounds marked by displacement and war. The team, a decade-old initiative by World Athletics, provides a platform for athletes who have fled their homes to continue their sporting careers.
A Decade of Resilience: The Athlete Refugee Team
The World Athletics Refugee Team initiative, established ten years ago, has consistently offered a pathway for displaced athletes to compete on the international stage. This year’s contingent in Accra includes five athletes, each carrying a profound personal narrative of resilience and determination. Their presence at the championships underscores a commitment to ensuring that refugee status does not extinguish athletic ambition.
Stories of Flight and Found Talent
Perina Lokure Nakang, a seasoned member of the team, experienced war in South Sudan in 2010, forcing her and her aunt to flee to Kenya’s Kakuma Refugee Camp. She spent six years separated from her mother before reuniting. Athletics became her focus later in life, and she arrived in Accra seeking to improve her personal best in the 800 metres.
Solomon Okeny also sought refuge in Kakuma, Kenya, in 2010 with his family. Initially drawn to football, he discovered a talent for athletics by chance. Now competing in the 400 and 800 metres, Okeny acknowledges the challenges of being a refugee but emphasizes managing circumstances and finding opportunities. He finds hope and motivation in competing against seasoned athletes.
Abdifatah Aden Hassan fled Ethiopia as a child in 2009 due to conflict. Identified through the IOC Refugee Athlete Scholarship program, the 1500 metre specialist continues to search for his parents. His aspirations extend beyond personal achievement; he hopes to inspire other refugees worldwide and compete in major championships like the Olympics.
Dario Lokoro, competing in the 5000 metres, set a clear goal for himself in Accra: to win. He expressed a commitment to rigorous training to achieve this ambition in the future.
The team also includes Kun Waar Liem, who fled South Sudan at seven years old and has not seen his parents since. Susan Nakiro, though sidelined by injury, is an integral part of the team’s narrative, highlighting the broader challenges faced by refugee athletes.
Beyond the Track: Support and Advocacy
The athletes’ visit to the UNHCR national office in Accra provided a significant moment of reflection. Tetteh Padi, head of the office, described the athletes as embodying the resilience of refugees, proving that displacement does not have to be a barrier to realizing one’s full potential.
Lieutenant General Jackson Tuwei, President of Athletics Kenya and Vice President of World Athletics, used the opportunity to advocate for the expansion of the program. He urged other African nations hosting refugees to adopt similar initiatives to support a wider refugee population across the continent.
Competing with Dignity and Hope
The athletes’ participation in Accra was not about seeking pity but about competing with dignity and demonstrating their capabilities. They sought to be recognized for their athletic prowess, acknowledging their difficult pasts but focusing on their present aspirations. While medal success was elusive in this instance, their presence signifies a triumph of the human spirit and athletic dedication.
Looking Ahead: Expanding Horizons
The Athlete Refugee Team’s journey in Accra highlights the ongoing need for support and the potential for athletic programs to empower displaced individuals. The focus now shifts to how the initiative can grow beyond East Africa and provide more opportunities for aspiring refugee athletes across the continent and beyond. Observers will watch to see if more nations embrace similar programs and if these athletes can build on their experiences to achieve future international success.
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