There is a large plain in front of Salsal, one of the statues of Buddha in Bamiyan, Afghanistan. Every weekend, Zia and I come here to practice shooting and passing.

Zia says: “If I want, I can shoot so that the ball reaches the top of the mountain!”

Everyone laughs at him, but I believe him because we are getting stronger every day. I know that with constant practise and effort, a strong team can be built. I say to the children: “If we don’t despair, we can even become world champions!”

Everyone laughs at me. But Zia believes me.