After his evacuation from Gaza and coming so close to fulfilling his Paralympic dream, Palestinian para-cyclist Alaa al-Dali will not be deterred by a recent rejection from this year’s games. Instead, he is set to compete next month in the Para-cycling World Championships, making Palestine proud, as well as his team back home – the Gaza Sunbirds. Having recently gained global recognition for their courageous aid missions in Gaza, the Sunbirds para-cycling squad , founded by al-Dali around an aspiration to raise the flag of Palestine on the world sporting stage, will in just a few weeks see this dream become a reality.

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Alaa was once a top cyclist in Gaza, with dreams of representing Palestine in front of an international audience. However, in 2018, along with many others demonstrating peacefully at a protest near Rafah, he was shot by an Israeli sniper, leading to the amputation of his leg. This injury could have ended his cycling career, but instead, it marked the beginning of a new chapter. Alaa transitioned into para-cycling and in 2020 co-founded the Gaza Sunbirds, a team composed mainly of athletes who have also lost their limbs due to Israeli aggressions.

The Sunbirds’ dream was to compete in the 2024 Paris Paralympics, however, the realities of life faced with genocide in Gaza, including displacement and the destruction of their homes, made this difficult. Overcoming these obstacles, Alaa was evacuated earlier this year to compete in races in Europe, allowing him to be classified for a wild card application for the Games. Although strong competition for places meant this was ultimately unsuccessful, he was awarded a chance to race at the next largest para-cycling event: the World Championships in Switzerland. This year marks the first time that cycling and para-cycling races will take place alongside one another at the World Championships, making Alaa’s participation all the more historic. Even in Europe things have not been easy, with Alaa surviving a hit and run by an Italian driver while training on the roads of Veneto. With true Palestinian spirit he picked himself up and is still going strong, while Palestinian and cycling communities in Europe have been helping raise funds to replace the bicycle that was destroyed.

While their captain has been striving to spread their message internationally, the Sunbirds back in Gaza have been continuing to deliver emergency supplies. Over the last nine months, thanks to donations from fans as well as support from fundraising partners AMOS Trust and ACS Italia, they have distributed over $280,000 USD worth of aid. Often working under dangerous conditions, this distribution has included food, sanitary products, blankets, and toys to children. Their work has captured the hearts of many, including high profile figures like Florence Pugh and Sara Ramirez, and is critical while life in Gaza is for many still a daily struggle for survival . The team plans to continue assisting the people of Gaza as long as sufficient aid is denied entry by Israel.

Now, inspired by the support of the Sunbirds’ global fanbase and the belief that sports can be a powerful force for change, Alaa is set to achieve his lifelong dream in Switzerland on 24th and 29th September. He plans to show Zürich and the world that disability, war, and a lack of resources will not hold him back. His determination is not just for himself but for the thousands of children in Gaza who have lost limbs and hope due to Israeli aggressions. Alaa’s story is one of perseverance, and his message to these children is to focus on the future and believe that better opportunities lie ahead​.

Together there are no walls and barriers we cannot break down, championing inclusivity and proving that passion knows no bounds. Join us in rallying behind Alaa and the Gaza Sunbirds as they embark on a journey of triumph, unity, and hope. Every donation brings us closer to making their dreams a reality.

Thank you for being a catalyst for change and for helping pave the way to pride, hope and sporting glory for Palestine.