While Afghanistan has never recognized Israel, and athletes from this country avoid competing against blue-and-white opponents, the judoka Nigara Shaheen, who competes in a weight category of up to 70 kg, will make history this week when she becomes the first Afghan athlete ever to compete in Israel.
Shaheen will land in Israel as part of the refugee team, accompanied by two other Iranian athletes and a coach who will participate in the Grand Slam competition, which will start on Thursday in Tel Aviv.
Shaheen (29) was born in Afghanistan, but moved to Pakistan when she was six months old.
Her family, who lived in Jalalabad, decided to escape the Taliban rule and its strict laws, and walked for many days, eventually crossing the border into the neighboring country.
The family members lived as refugees and practiced martial arts.
Shaheen started training in judo at the age of 11, and invested not only in sports, but also in studies.
She earned a bachelor's degree in political science at the American University in Kabul, and then a master's degree in international business in Yekaterinburg.
From 2022 she lives in Canada, where she studies and trains.
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The first Afghan woman in Israel, photo: IJF
Ahead of the 2021 Tokyo Olympic Games, Shaheen was selected as one of 30 athletes in the International Olympic Committee (IOC) World Refugee Team program, and participated in the Olympics.
Just before boarding the flight to Israel, Shaheen gave an exclusive interview to Israel Hayom - the first ever by an Afghan athlete to the Israeli media.
"I am happy to compete in Israel," she said.
"My favorite athlete is from Israel. Although she is retired, I still watch her competitions, and that is the bronze medalist from Rio 2016, Jordan Jarbi."
Were you surprised they gave you a visa?
"If I'm honest - I was surprised, because it always takes me a long time to get a visa for the competitions, and this time too it came at the very last minute. I missed a lot of events because of this. I'm glad that the Israeli authorities supported the refugee athletes and let me come."
You are the first Afghan athlete to come to Israel.
"It really surprises me, and I am excited. I hope that my presence in Israel will convey a message of solidarity between all the athletes. We are ambassadors of peace and come to engage in sports."
What have you heard about Israel?
"I've always heard how smart the people in Israel are. Unfortunately, I never had friends from there, but I had a good experience in joint training camps with Israeli athletes in the past."
One day Israeli athletes will be able to compete in Afghanistan?
"I'm sure of it. We are part of the sports community, and we know no borders. One day I hope to welcome the athletes from Israel in Afghanistan. I started the first connection between the nations, and I hope I won't be the only athlete competing in Israel."
The final preparations for the Tel Aviv Grand Slam,
Double history
As mentioned, Shaheen is not alone in the refugee delegation.
After great efforts, made by the Chairman of the Judo Association Moshe Ponti and with the support of the Ministry of Culture and Sports, Iranian athletes also managed to enter the country.
What do you think about athletes who don't go up to compete against Israelis?
"I hope that in the future the athletes will compete without borders, because sports have no borders. This is the sporting spirit."
What is your big dream?
"To wake up one day and see the world in peace and harmony. My journey will give Afghan girls a lot of hope. I have faced all the obstacles they face, but if I can do it - they can do it too. It's hard, but nothing is beyond to human ability".
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