Lida Huzoori, the first female member of a small paragliding team in Kabul, says she wants to represent Afghanistan at international events. 

Huzoori said she started the sport five years ago and that she wants to become a professional paraglider.

“They (her team members) are all my brothers and we exercise here like a family,” she said referring to her team members. “We practice here together and learn together. We will be able to participate in international events if government provides us the chance.”

“Lida is our first trainee and she has learnt flying. She has improved well. She is the first lady in our society who has joined paragliding team,” said Nawid Popal, a paragliding trainer.

“I have a three years old son who comes with us in our practice sessions. Lida always teases him. When we want to come here, he asks me that will Lida will come or not? When I say yes, he says that he wants to come with me. This is nice memory of Lida,” said Ajmal Amani, member of the paragliding team.

The paragliders said relevant institutions need to establish a paragliding federation under the National Olympic Committee to improve the sport in the country.

Paragliding is a new sport in Afghanistan, but it has found many fans in a short time.