Palestinian Female Boxers Cling To Their Dreams

Once again, Halla Ayoub, a 17-year-old Palestinian boxer, has found her way to the sport despite the setbacks amid the devastating conflict between Israel and armed Palestinian factions.

"Because of the war and the displacement imposed on us, I had thought I would never resume playing my favorite sport of boxing. It is so terrible to lose your dream you had done your best for just because you live in a conflict zone," Ayoub told Xinhua.

Before the war, Ayoub and dozens of other female Palestinians had challenged the convention and gender stereotype to join the first-ever female boxing club in Gaza called the Palestinian Center of Boxing for Women.

"I picked up this sport five years ago, as I wanted to prove to our society that women and men can be equal in such sports," she said. "I was so happy when I succeeded in getting a place in the Palestinian National Team, and I would represent my country in international competitions."

Ayoub used to practice for 16 hours a week. In late 2023, she could have represented Palestine in an Arabian competition.

But all her hope was dashed as the Israeli army launched a large-scale war on Gaza after Hamas, the Islamist group ruling Gaza, carried out an unprecedented attack on the Israeli towns adjacent to Gaza. Many Palestinian facilities, including sports clubs, were leveled.

"Like most of our people, my family and I were forced to be displaced and leave our city to head to the southern parts of Gaza," Ayoub said with a sad voice, adding that "in every displacement journey, I saw my dream shattered in front of my eyes."

Ayoub cried over her loss sometimes, but she gathered strength for her dream. Boxing has turned her into a determined one with more self-confidence, and she decided to look for her former coach and teammates, as well as boxing gear.

"I told myself over and over again that if I died, I would die believing in my ability to challenge the circumstances, and if I survived, I would continue on the path towards my dream and see the Palestinian flag rise in international arenas," she said.

After efforts, she met her coach and teammates and resumed training in the refugee camp in Mawasi of Khan Younis in the south of Gaza.

"Boxing helps us defend ourselves and enhance self-confidence and is a way to get rid of the negative energy many people suffer from," she said.

At first, Osama Ayoub, co-founder of the club, was hesitant about the training, mainly because people were struggling to survive. But the girls presented their reasons: to get rid of psychological pressures and not to lag behind after the war ends.

The 40-year-old boxing coach finally nodded in agreement. "I feel very proud when I see my students gathering every day and training." He said that at first, "people were surprised, but after a few days, they got used to the scene and started coming to watch the training as a form of entertainment."

Halla Ayoub hoped the war would end soon so she could continue practicing and someday participate in international competitions.

"The looks of admiration I see in the eyes of camp residents make me determined to continue on the path that I've started to achieve my dream, which is to become a famous player around the world and to prove to the world that Palestinian girls in Gaza don't give up their dreams easily," she said.
-XINHUA