Alaa Abboud – Goalkeeper
Alaa lost his left arm as a child due to a medical error and grew up with a disability. Despite this, he played football as a goalkeeper from an early age. When he joined the team, everyone assumed he had experience playing overseas because of his sharp skills.
He never felt like he was different, but was pleased to find an organization that supported people with disabilities.
He fondly recalls his finest moment when he successfully saved a penalty kick within the opening 10 minutes of the opening match of the 2022 Amputee Football World Cup in Istanbul, Turkey.
Alar calls on all people with disabilities to “never assume that a disability means the end of your life – quite the opposite. Empower yourself to get up and explore the world and challenge the notion that people with disabilities are less capable than those without. Break through limitations.”
IAFA has played a pivotal role in changing the lives of people who were once hesitant to go out, turning them into confident members who now take pride in their disability and share personal photos on social media.
Despite the various circumstances that led to the injuries sustained by its team members, the Iraq Amputee Football Association has united people from all over the country, bound together by a common challenge and a shared passion for football.
IAFA’s Achievements
“Despite being a relatively new association, the football team achieved the incredible feat of qualifying for the 2022 Amputee Football World Cup and defeating three powerhouse teams: Germany, Uruguay and Ireland. Competing against teams with 20-30 years of experience, the Iraqi team achieved 19th place. Founder Mohammed proudly states: “Our original goal was just to participate. But not only did we participate, we also managed to beat several teams. That in itself is a great achievement for us.”
The ICRC supports IAFA as part of its social inclusion programme and has funded the latest tournament between IAFA teams to be held across the country in November 2023.