Gaza Sunbirds
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The Gaza Sunbirds are a para-cycling team based in the Gaza Strip. The team was formed in 2020 by Alaa al-Dali and Karim Ali.
History
[edit]Alaa al-Dali became a cyclist at a young age. In early 2018, he qualified to compete at that year's Asian Games, but was struggling to obtain a permit from the Israeli government to leave the Gaza Strip. In March 2018, he attended the Great March of Return in his cycling gear to "call for [his] right of return as an athlete unable to leave Gaza".[1] While at the protest, he was shot in the leg by an Israeli sniper, shattering his bone. His leg ultimately had to be amputated.[2][3][4][5] While recovering, he met Karim Ali, and over the next year the duo decided to found a para-cycling project. He also adapted a bicycle so he could continue to ride, and began relearning to ride two months after his amputation.[2][4]
The Gaza Sunbirds were officially founded in 2020, and had ten members by the end of the year.[4]
By 2023, the group had 20 members and five cycling sessions a week, including a session for teenagers.[4] At one time the group had around 50 members. Due to limited supplies, they were only able to adapt bicycles for riders with lower limb amputations. Most riders do not use prostheses due to the difficulty of obtaining them. The group organized fundraising events to pay for equipment and to raise money for other groups.[2] Some of their group rides were along the coastline or Salah al-Din Road,[6] while others were as long as 55 miles, from the Rafah Border Crossing to the Erez Crossing.[7]
Following the inception of the Israel–Hamas war in 2023, the team began to distribute food to Gaza residents using their bicycles.[8] According to the group, as of May 2024 they have distributed "$140,000 worth of aid, 2,050 meal parcels, 4,900 hot meals and hygiene kits to 500 beneficiaries".[4] The group also worked with Sharek Youth Forum to create a displacement camp in Deir al-Balah.[1]
The war interrupted the team's hopes of competing at the 2024 Summer Paralympics.[7][4]
References
[edit]- ^ a b Milton, Josh (2024-07-14). "'I want to become the first Palestinian para-cyclist to compete at Paralympics'". Metro. Retrieved 2024-08-29.
- ^ a b c Ahmed, Shireen (2024-06-20). "'They can keep dreaming': Gaza Sunbirds aim to offer hope for future of Para cycling in region". CBC.
- ^ Cherry, Christopher; Doran, Temujin; Lamborn, Katie; Cappellini, Flavia; King, Alex; Burnell, Max (2024-08-28). "My Paralympic dream: the amputee from Gaza cycling for Palestine – video". The Guardian. AFP, Reuters. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2024-08-29.
- ^ a b c d e f Jenny, Kristin (2024-05-29). "Gaza adaptive athletes find hope on two wheels with Paris Paralympics on the horizon". cyclingweekly.com. Retrieved 2024-08-29.
- ^ "Report of the independent international commission of inquiry on the protests in the Occupied Palestinian Territory*" (PDF). United Nations Human Rights Council. 2019-02-25. p. 9.
- ^ Milton, Josh (2023-12-03). "Gazan amputees are delivering aid to children by bike during Israel-Hamas war". Metro. Retrieved 2024-08-29.
- ^ a b Michaelson, Ruth; Farouk, Menna. "The Gaza paracyclist: I was a footballer before losing my leg". the Guardian. Retrieved 2024-08-29.
- ^ "Gaza Sunbirds paracycling team pivots to aid distribution amid war". The World from PRX. Retrieved 2024-08-29.