At least 70 service members of the Afghan National Army (ANA) on Saturday attended volleyball and weightlifting selection competitions for the Invictus Games 2017.

The Invictus Games is an international paralympic-style multi-sport event for armed services personnel which will be held in Canada in September. 

Acting Defense Minister Tariqshah Bahrami and Resolute Support commander Gen. John Nicholson attended the event.

"One of our top priorities is to pay attention to you [the soldiers with disability] and to the families of those forces who have lost their lives in defending their country," Bahrami said.

Nicholson meanwhile said the United States is committed to providing long term support to Afghanistan.

"We are working hard with your security forces, and we will work together to defeat terrorism. We are working to defeat corruption, we are working to build leaders who are warriors like you based on the merit of their accomplishments," said Nicholson. 

Riyaz, an army soldier, who took part in the competition, said he was wounded in Helmand province 10 months ago and now he wants to serve his country by taking part in the games. 

“We defended the country and cannot do any other duty. We urge government to provide us with more sport opportunities,” he added.

Another Afghan National Army soldier, Hazaar Gul, said he lost both his legs in a clash with militants in Zabul province.

He said he hopes to get a spot on the volleyball team for the games.

“We do not have arms or legs, but other parts of our body are healthy. We hope that by participating in this competition, we make our way to the international event,” he said.