Shot In The Leg By Saddam's Men But Now Daban's A Basketball Star

Mar 16 2008 By Heather Greenaway

Sport Relief

REFUGEE Daban Kamil feared he would never walk again after being shot by Saddam Hussein's henchmen at the age of seven.

But seven years on, the Kurdish youngster is making a name for himself as the fastest player on his local basketball team.

Daban is the star of Glasgow's Twilight Basketball squad - a project funded by Sport Relief.

The fearless 14-year-old, who spent three months in hospital after the bullet penetrated his left leg, admits the sport has changed his life.

Daban said: "I came to this country nearly three years ago speaking not one word of English, but through basketball I think I have found my voice.

"Being in Glasgow makes me feel safe and everyone has been welcoming to me and my family.

"Playing basketball has given me my confidence back. I had to leave allmy friends behind in Iraq but now I have a whole team of new ones.

"If I am good enough, I would like to play for the Scottish Rocks but until then, I'm enjoying playing for my school and with the project."

Daban, mum Dilshad, 43, dad Kamil, 36, brothers Sarbaz, 22, Rebath, 23, Dastan, nine and sister Bernas, eight, now live in Cardonald, Glasgow.

Daban said: "My dad was a Kurdish soldier and they were constantly trying to kill him. He had to flee for his life.

"They put my mum, me, all my brothers and sisters andmy uncle in prison and said they would only let us out ifmy dad returned and joined the Iraqi army.

"Saddam's soldiers took my older sister Ranas and uncle away and then they shot me in front of my mother.

"My sister was abducted but we know she is still alive as there have been sightings - but we have not been able to see or speak to her.

"My uncle has never been seen again and, after seven years, we are assuming he was executed."

Daban, whose family lived near Kirkuk, said: "My dad came to Scotland six years ago and started working to bring the rest of us.

"We were smuggled into Iran and from there to Turkey. We were shipped to Greece and then to France before getting to Britain.

"We had to hide away in cramped conditions with no food and water for weeks at a time, so it was a relief when we finally made it to Scotland.

Last month a car bomb exploded in Kirkuk, killing 30 people. My uncle's son was left brain damaged.

"I'm just so pleased we have found a safe place in Scotland and hope that one day I can play basketball for my new country."

Daban is one of 50 kids who are members of the Twilight Basketball Club, which runs every Friday night in Bellahouston.

Co-ordinator Jamie Barr, 28, said: "Daban is showing great promise as a basketball player and who knows, one day he might be good enough to get a call up for the Scottish Rocks. We have been running the project in a bid to get young people off the street on Friday nights.

"It's great when a sport can make such a difference to a young person's life and we could not do it without funds raised through Sport Relief."

Tens of thousands of people will be rising to the challenge for Sport Relief today as they take part in the Sainsbury's Sport Relief Mile.

You can donate by phoning the number below or visit www.sportrelief.com.

YOU RAISE £20M

The Sport Relief appeal raked in an incredible £20million for good causes around the world.

A mystery donor gave £5.5m, one of the biggest single donations in the history of TV fundraising.

One project closer to home to benefit from Sport Relief cash is the Twilight Basketball Club in Glasgow

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h.greenaway@sundaymail.co.uk