gaza Sunbirds Make Historic Showing at para Cycling Worlds Amidst Ongoing Conflict
RONSE,Belgium – Despite the ongoing war in Gaza and the constant fear for family and friends back home,the Gaza Sunbirds para cycling team made a powerful statement at the Para-Cycling Road World Championships in Ronse,Belgium,this week,proudly flying the Palestinian flag. The team’s participation underscores their resilience and commitment to sport even as their home faces devastation.
The Gaza Sunbirds, founded in 2021 by Alaa al-Dali and Karim Ali, aim to empower individuals with disabilities in gaza through cycling. Al-Dali, a 28-year-old cyclist who lost a leg in a previous conflict, co-founded the team after grappling with depression and a long recovery process. “It was as if I was born with one leg,and my birth date is the day of my injury,” al-Dali said. “This inspired me to help people like me.”
Initially comprised of 25 members, the Sunbirds faced significant hurdles in obtaining funding and equipment. They relied on secondhand bicycles that required modification for cyclists with limb differences. Ali, a Palestinian-Cypriot based in London, explained the early challenges in securing resources.The team’s progress has been repeatedly interrupted by conflict. Following the outbreak of the current war on October 7, 2023, the Sunbirds suspended cycling activities and redirected their efforts to humanitarian aid delivery, transporting $400,000 worth of supplies as transportation became critically scarce. tragically, the team’s bicycles have been destroyed, and the damage to Gaza’s infrastructure means cycling is currently unachievable even if a ceasefire were to occur.
Despite the setbacks, the Sunbirds remain determined to rebuild. Plans are underway to construct stationary bikes in Gaza using available spare parts, allowing training to continue regardless of road conditions. Ali envisions a future where the team can establish a cycling school in Gaza, providing opportunities for individuals to reconnect with their bodies and embrace the sport.
“We’re going to build stationary bikes in Gaza. We’re not going to wait for the roads to be rebuilt or for the bikes to be brought in. We’ll get spare parts and create stationary bikes,” ali said. “Our dream in the future is to start a school in Gaza where people can learn about cycling and reconnecting with their bodies.”
Al-dali hopes to follow in the footsteps of Fadi Aldeeb, Palestine’s sole representative at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris, and continue to inspire others facing adversity. The Gaza Sunbirds’ presence at the World Championships serves as a testament to the enduring power of the human spirit and the unifying force of sport.
