“Teamwork, trust, discipline and respect are the life values that basketball has taught me”

“Back in Afghanistan, I remember myself watching on TV my role model Michael Jordan. I was imagining it was me on the screen scoring instead of him, dreaming of the day that I would feel free and safe to enjoy basketball as well. When we first came to Greece, I couldn’t imagine that my dream would come true eventually.” Mohammad Hukem Askari, a 17-year-old Afghan boy, who is currently staying with his family in Malakasa camp, confesses the difficulties he faced in his early life.

“We didn’t have any playgrounds in Afghanistan, so it was difficult for me to play basketball with my friends. But, the more difficult it was, the more I wanted to play.” Mohammad had to leave school when he was in the 7th grade in order to work as an interpreter and help his family make ends meet.

“Once I started working, the situation became more difficult and dangerous for me and my family, so we were forced to leave. Ever since the day we arrived in Malakasa camp I feel more optimistic. Once I saw the backboards in the camp, I felt so excited. I started immediately practicing.”

Mohammad had the chance to participate in the AntetokounBros Academy. NBA player, Giannis Antetokounmpo along with his brothers created the academy in order to support vulnerable social groups in Greece. The aim is to provide access to sport, inspire through education, and give scholarships to open pathways in life. “IOM staff informed me that I could participate in AntetokounBros Academy. They told me about Giannis’ story, his background and how he managed to accomplish his goals. His life path is similar to mine. He is an inspiration to me. It was like a big dream coming true.”

“During our first training in the Academy, I realized why basketball is the ultimate sport for me. It’s not only about the joy of the game. It’s the teamwork, the trust, the discipline and respect - the life values that this sport teaches you.”

“I’m the oldest child in my family and through basketball I’d like to show my brothers that with teamwork and training we can achieve everything in life. Just like Giannis and his brothers did.”

Mohammad is looking forward to the reopening of the Academy, which remains closed due to the lockdown. He’s practicing almost every day in the camp to get better.  He wants to continue his studies and combine them with his favorite sport.

IOM operates in Malakasa camp as the official Site Management Support Agency (SMS) with the support of the European Commission – DG HOME, under the project “Supporting the Greek Authorities in Managing the National Reception System for Asylum Seekers and Vulnerable Migrants (SMS)”.