Years of conflict, violence and desperate hardships have made life almost unbearable in Afghanistan.

Landmines, once scattered across the country, have robbed thousands of their ability to do the most basic of things like being able to move around freely. While preventable childhood diseases, such as polio, have meant countless children have faced a daily struggle to simply be able to walk.

But through our physical rehabilitation programmes across Afghanistan, adults and children alike are getting the chance to feel whole again, and for many, to play the game that they love – football.

Ramish Nikzai, 21 years old, works at the ICRC rehabilitation centre as an assistant trainer.

CHANGING LIVES THROUGH FOOTBALL

Facing life with a disability can be extremely challenging.

At the ICRC-supported rehabilitation centre in Kabul, football is helping people to meet others who experience similar daily struggles and find strength within themselves. It is also helping people to regain their sense of self belief.

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