Since the age of twelve, I have felt a deep passion and unique connection to nature. I was always drawn to outdoor sports—activities like mountaineering, skydiving, and snowboarding filled me with excitement and a sense of freedom.
In 2017, I began practicing snowboarding informally; using a wooden board I built myself. Despite the lack of resources, my determination never faded. A year later, I was honored to be introduced to the Afghanistan National Snowboard Team, where I began my official training.
Joining the national team offered me a profound understanding of what sport truly means. It became clear that sports are not only about competition, but also about peace, acceptance, and unity. Athletes from various ethnic backgrounds stood side by side, all representing one name and one country—Afghanistan. Together, we worked to present a new and inspiring image of our homeland to the world.
With the change in government in Afghanistan (the rise of the Islamic Emirate), several of my fellow athletes were forced to leave the country due to safety concerns. Those of us who remained continued training under difficult conditions, with limited motivation and increasing challenges—economic, personal, and security-related.
Despite these hardships, in 2023 I competed in the provincial snowboarding competition in Bamyan and proudly secured second place. That achievement reignited my drive and gave me renewed hope for the future of snowboarding in Afghanistan.
Currently, I am honored to serve as the Head of the Program Committee, where I am committed to supporting the development of this sport and creating opportunities for youth across the country. I firmly believe that while achieving great things may be difficult, nothing is impossible. Through hard work and dedication, we can one day share a beautiful and powerful image of Afghanistan with the world.
Salman Sajjadi
Head of the Program Committee
sajjadsalman79@gmail.com