Despite personal tragedy, Palestinian footballer Saleh shows resilience

NT Bureau

Doha: In the midst of the ongoing war in Gaza, the poignant story of Palestinian football player Mohammed Saleh, who is currently in Doha as part of the Palestine team participating in Asian Cup 2023, has caught global attention.

Saleh, who experienced the horrors of war firsthand, has become a symbol of the human cost of conflict, highlighting the plight of civilians caught in the crossfire, bnnbreaking.com reports.

“Saleh’s family home in Gaza City was obliterated, forcing his family to live in a tent on open land. They moved from house to house, a grim testament to the hostilities that have ravaged the region for over 100 days. The harsh reality of their situation was further punctuated when Saleh received the heartrending news that his uncle, aunt, and their children were killed in the conflict,” the report says.

Saleh’s struggle echoed on the football field in Qatar. “Just days before a tournament, the devastating news reached him, yet he remained steadfast, turning his personal tragedy into a beacon of resilience. His courageous display during a match at Doha’s Education City Stadium, attended by 27,619 spectators, was a testament to his strength amidst the suffering,” the report adds.

In a post-match interview, Saleh expressed his grief, describing the situation his family and the people of Gaza are enduring as a ‘war of extermination’.