BAQUBA, Iraq: Table tennis marked a pivotal moment. Ever since I took up the sport, my life has taken a new direction, that shared the 19-year-old athlete. Najlah’s journey began at the tender age of three, amidst the chaos of a 2008 sticky bomb attack on her ex-military father’s car in Baquba, northeast of Baghdad.
In an instant, like countless others in war-torn Iraq, Najlah fell victim to the relentless violence that has plagued the nation for years, losing most of her right leg, her left leg at the knee, and her right forearm.
Yet, remarkably, she now reflects on that life-altering event with a serene composure. Table tennis has become a cornerstone of my mental well-being that she affirmed from a weathered sports center in Baquba. Najlah’s countenance brightens as she recounts her athletic odyssey. However, her demeanor shifts to intense focus as she stands on prosthetic limbs before the blue table, poised to strike the ball with precision.
The young athlete, with her black hair cropped short, discovered her passion for the game at age 10 when a coach visited her home seeking to assemble a local Paralympic squad. Initially met with skepticism and warnings from her family, Najlah persisted, inspired by fellow athletes with disabilities who defied the odds.
Undeterred, Najlah made her competitive debut in a Baghdad tournament after six months of rigorous training, emerging victorious and igniting her passion for the sport. Since then, she has competed in 30 international tournaments, claiming medals and trophies proudly displayed in her humble abode.
In 2021, Najlah represented Iraq in the Tokyo Paralympic Games, and in 2023, she clinched gold at the Asian Para Games in China. Despite her achievements, she continues to train in modest facilities, surrounded by reminders of the international acclaim she has earned.
Supported by Iraq’s Paralympic committee, Najlah trains diligently with her father’s guidance, traveling abroad for superior training opportunities when feasible. Her aspirations soar as she prepares for the Paris Paralympics, driven by a relentless pursuit of excellence.
As Najlah readies herself for the challenges ahead, her father stands beside her, unwavering in his support, proud of the resilience and determination his daughter embodies.
