Seven female taekwondo athletes have fled from the chains of the Taliban after a daring escape mission. The women are currently in Australia, after crossing multiple borders. They were in quarantine in Darwin, Australia but are now out, and eventually plan to settle in Melbourne.
Oceania Taekwondo President John Kotsifas, who is also an experienced immigration lawyer, helped the Afghan female Taekwondo athletes in the rescue mission. He connected with the Pakistan High Commission to help these women cross its borders safely. Australian Taekwondo chief executive Heather Garriock contacted former international footballer Craig Foster to help these young women relocate to Australia.
However, there is one athlete from the team, who is still left in Afghanistan’s capital Kabul. Even though all eight women were granted refugee visas by the Australian government, one of them wasn’t able to escape, this time. They are still trying to help her move to safety.
Fatima Ahmadi, one of the athletes to move to Australia, said, “I feel so good about arriving in Australia. We are safe here without any danger.” She added, “Australian Taekwondo helped us a lot and I am so thankful…We are now waiting to do some useful things for Australia and repay your help.”
It all started with an international Afghan referee, now residing in Melbourne, calling up Garriock. The two of them then collaborated to make this happen. It took them a week to get the paperwork done.
The women had a 19-hour journey to Pakistan, after which they flew to Dubai and then Darwin, Australia. Crossing the Pakistan border was difficult as the security there wasn’t accommodating, and they were met with red tape.
"The Australian taekwondo community is incredibly welcoming, and these ladies will be welcomed with open arms,” Garriock expresses.