For Iraqi para-athlete, ‘sports isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity’

For Zainab Al-Eqabi, sports became a lifeline after losing her leg at the age of seven, but it wasn’t until college that she truly discovered its power as a tool for personal empowerment. Today, she champions sports as a vital means for societal change and inclusion.

“Sports in general have not been very accessible to women in this region. Girls, yes, but women, not so much. And when you add disability to the picture, it’s even harder to come across opportunities,” said Al-Eqabi, Volkswagen Middle East Brand Ambassador and an avid advocate for the benefit of sports for all, particularly marginalized communities.

Sports in general have not been very accessible to women in this region. Girls, yes, but women, not so much. And when you add disability to the picture, it’s even harder to come across opportunities.
Zainab Al-Aqabi|

Since 2023, Qatar Foundation has partnered with Volkswagen Middle East to cater to the needs of all members of society, regardless of their physical abilities and abilities. This partnership supports Qatar Foundation’s Women’s and Girls’ Football Initiative, and recently, Al-Aqabi participated in activities and events hosted by Qatar Foundation – Education City on the occasion of National Sport Day 2025 to raise awareness about this issue.

Al-Aqabi started exercising when she was in college, not for fun at first but for medical reasons. Her doctor told her she needed to strengthen her back muscles or her quality of life would decline. “That was a huge wake-up call for me, so I started swimming and eventually weightlifting,” she says.

The Paralympic athlete stresses that sport has not only played a major role in maintaining her health - mentally and physically - but has also given her strength, saying: “Sport has enhanced my sense of independence and self-confidence. I have started to travel alone, not only because I am confident in my abilities, but also because of my physical strength, which allows me to handle my luggage and navigate airports and train stations. For me, sport is not a luxury, but an essential part of my life.

Don't hesitate to show up and get involved in the community, let people see you and interact with you, give them the opportunity to ask questions. This is how you contribute to breaking stereotypes step by step.
Zainab Al-Aqabi

Since 2023, Volkswagen Middle East and Qatar Foundation (QF) have partnered to promote an inclusive football landscape. Their collaboration includes supporting QF’s Women and Girls Football Initiative, and Al-Eqabi was at Education City during QF’s National Sport Day celebration to promote the same cause.

Al-Eqabi took up sports when she was in college, and initially it was not for fun but for medical reasons. Her doctor told her that she needed to strengthen her back or her quality of life would be compromised. “That was a huge wake-up call for me, and so I took up swimming and eventually weightlifting,” she said.

The para-athlete said sports hasn’t just played a key role in keeping her healthy – both mentally and physically – but it has also empowered her. “It’s made me confident and independent. I travel solo, not just because I’m confident, but because I’m physically strong. I can handle my luggage and navigate airports and train stations, thanks to sports.

“To me, sports isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity.”

Speaking about sporting accessibility in the Middle East, Al-Eqabi points to two aspects: one is logistical, and the other is cultural. “In terms of logistics, which includes governments establishing accessibility codes and accessible infrastructure, I think in the Gulf region we are doing fine – in fact, I’d say we are above average,” she says.

Get out there, let people see you, give them an opportunity to ask questions – change the narrative, bit by bit. The world needs you; the world needs us!

This article has been truncated by the sportanddev operating team. Read the full article on QF.org.qa,