At the end of July, Skopje hosted the biggest sporting event in North Macedonia — the European Youth Olympic Festival. Among the 4,000 young athletes is 16-year-old Tahora Ismaili, a refugee from Afghanistan who fled to Switzerland alone three years ago.
At just 16 years old, Tahora Ismaili, a Taekwondo athlete and refugee from Afghanistan, is carrying an inspiring story of perseverance and hope for women and girls in her home country. "I left my country when I was much younger, and I traveled a long path. I faced many difficult challenges on the way," she says.
She was competing under the refugee flag at the European Youth Olympic Festival in Skopje, North Macedonia this year. For her it meant she was "seen" and her "voice was heard."
A great support for this young athlete is Ehsan Naghibzadeh (35), a former Iranian national Taekwondo athlete who is also a refugee. As a coach, he also sheds light on the significant hurdles refugee athletes encounter, such as restrictions on continuing their athletic pursuits or limitations on travel.
Tahora aspires to be a role model for others: "I'll just keep going," she affirms.
Author: Arbnora Memeti and Emilija Petreska
First published: August 6, 2025
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