GAZA, Nov. 19 (Xinhua) -- For the third consecutive day, the Gaza Strip has hosted its first amputee football tournament, called the "Championship of Hope" after its warfare.
The event, which began on Monday, is part of ongoing efforts to revive organized sports activities and strengthen morale among those injured in successive Israeli military operations in the territory.
Organized by the Palestinian Amputee Football Association in cooperation with the Turkish Deniz Foundation, the tournament represents a broader effort to support amputees, integrate them into sports frameworks, and provide structured opportunities for both competition and rehabilitation.
"It is part of ongoing initiatives to help amputees participate actively in sports, locally and internationally, and to promote their social inclusion," Gharib Abu Ghalioun, head of the Palestinian Amputee Football Association, told Xinhua.
Holding the tournament, Abu Ghalioun said, sends a strong message to the world about the resilience of Palestinians. "This event demonstrates that despite repeated wars and destruction, Palestinians love life and peace, and reject violence and war."
Abu Ghalioun emphasized the symbolic significance of the tournament for Gaza's residents. "For participants who lost limbs during repeated military assaults, this league is more than a sporting event; it is a means to restore confidence, build psychological resilience and rekindle a sense of normalcy."
The month-long tournament features dozens of amputee athletes, including those affected by the current conflict and previous war.
Matches are held on a five-a-side artificial turf pitch in Deir al-Balah, fully equipped for amputee football with adaptive nets and assistive devices to facilitate safe movement.
"The pitch provides an environment that encourages both competition and social integration among participants of all ages," Shadi Abu Armana, technical director of the Palestinian national amputee football team and one of the tournament organizers, told Xinhua.
Approximately 50 players, including 15 children of both genders with amputations, are participating in the event.
"About 30 percent of the participants are children, reflecting our commitment to engage the next generation and give them the opportunity to express their talents despite their disabilities," Abu Armana said.
He highlighted the tournament's broader objectives beyond sports. "We aim to create a system where players feel supported, even under difficult humanitarian conditions. The league raises awareness about amputees' rights, promotes rehabilitation through sport, and contributes to social integration and improved quality of life," he said.
For participants, the tournament also serves as therapy. "Participation offers both physical rehabilitation and psychological support, allowing players to reclaim a part of their normal life," Abu Armana explained, stressing the importance of supporting clubs and associations that work with amputees to continue such initiatives.
Despite Gaza's ongoing challenges with transportation, damaged infrastructure, and limited sports facilities, teams representing different areas of the Strip are participating.
Abu Armana said that before the war, Gaza had at least 55 sports facilities, 45 of which were dedicated to football. Many of these facilities were damaged or destroyed in recent conflicts, underscoring the significance of this league.
The human impact of these losses is evident. According to the Palestinian Football Association, Israeli military strikes killed around 668 athletes during recent conflicts, including 339 football players.
Organizers said the tournament seeks to honor these athletes while restoring opportunities for those who survived.
Participants demonstrate remarkable enthusiasm on the field despite personal and logistical challenges.
Fadi Shamlakh, 35, from Gaza City, who lost his right leg in an Israeli airstrike during the latest conflict, described the tournament as a chance to regain a sense of normalcy.
"Despite all the suffering, we are determined to continue and show that hope still exists," he told Xinhua.
Using crutches to move and kick the ball, he said the matches provide both physical engagement and psychological inclusion.
For 12-year-old Shaaban Abdullah from Deir al-Balah, who lost his right leg earlier this year, the tournament has restored his social and sporting life.
"The tournament has given me a chance to rediscover my passion for sports and social interaction," he said. "Being here, watching the matches, and participating even in small ways brings back my enthusiasm. I feel part of something bigger and not alone in facing these challenges."
Shaaban also expressed hope for a prosthetic limb. "I hope to be able to run and participate fully in matches, and to return to the excitement I felt before my injury. The tournament gives me this opportunity and makes me believe that life does not stop," he said. "Every moment on the field gives me hope and motivates me to be patient and work for the future."
Aliyan Abu Sabra, 40, from Khan Younis, who lost his left leg during the 2012 Israeli war, described the tournament as a key step in restoring hope to amputee athletes.
"This event shows that we can continue our sporting lives despite all we have lost during the wars," he said, noting that participation provides both psychological and physical therapy while strengthening players' sense of community.
Abu Sabra expressed a long-term vision for the league. "We hope to establish this tournament as an annual international event, eventually attracting teams from outside Palestine to strengthen the regional and international presence of Palestinian amputee sports," he said. ■
