Support the Afghan Women's Olympic Boxing Team!
Afghan women were banned from competing or participating in organized sport under Taliban rule. As a result, no Afghan woman to date has won a gold medal at the Olympics.
Afghanistan's women's boxing team is determined to transform the Olympic scene at the 2012 Olympics in London by going for the gold.
The team of 25 practices in what used to be a Taliban punishment camp. Though their spirits are high and practices run hard, the team has faced heavy opposition to their dreams including threats of kidnapping and violence.
The team deserves to compete. The Afghan government should provide funds and protection to the women who have struggled against adversity.
According to their trainer, the boxing team has some economic support but is in need of more to compete at the Olympic level.
The message of their willpower, personal and physical strength should be heard around the world.
Tell Afghan President Hamid Karzai: Protect the Afghan women's boxing team!
We the undersigned would like to express our support for the Aghan women's Olympic boxing team.
As two of the team members have already placed in international competition, we believe the women should be able to compete at the Olympic level with support from the Afghan government.
We understand that some support has been given, but this team needs more in order to compete and spread the message of their perseverance in spite of dangerous threats.
Women and girls of Afghanistan would feel hope and confidence as they see the team compete despite the outcome.
We ask you to provide economic support as well as physical security for the Afghan women's boxing team.
Thank you for taking our comments into serious consideration.
