A unique opportunity with a message engraved in the heart: "Free Sahara"

All the members of the Western Sahara team carry the feeling of belonging to a flag and a country engraved in their hearts. They have not experienced first-hand what it is like to be in the refugee camps, but their families have, and it is touching how they transmit this feeling wherever they go. This makes the bond grow closer and closer and never breaks, because as Taguio Jatri, Head of Institutions of the Sahrawi Sports Federation, told us, "it is easy to be living in the same place where your family lives and not have to live a life parallel to the one there". Now they have a unique opportunity to be seen and heard in an international tournament like the Donosti Cup, an opportunity that, without a doubt, they are not going to miss.

At the root of all this is the ongoing conflict in the Western Sahara region, a territory considered non-self-governing by the United Nations, over which the dispute continues unabated. A large part of the territory is currently under Moroccan control, and the rest of the territory is controlled by the self-proclaimed Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, which calls it the Free Zone. They, the Saharawis, are fighting for the same goal: the liberation of the Sahara. Today, for more than 40 years, many Sahrawis have been living in refugee camps. Others, on the other hand, had to emigrate in order to have a chance to live in dignity.

Since they landed in Donostia, all the players of the Western Sahara team have shown an unbeatable attitude, giving a smile to all those people who are making their stay as pleasant as possible. "Most of the Federation live in the Basque Country, it is a welcoming place with wonderful people, we knew they would welcome us in an excellent way," says Taguio Jatri. In addition, both players and coaches are "eternally grateful" to the Western Sahara Foundation and the Donosti Cup, as they have given them a unique opportunity to raise awareness of the situation of the Saharawi people through the powerful weapon of football.

At the Federation level, it is an opportunity to make itself visible as the Sahrawi organisation in charge of sport in the diaspora. "The aim of the Federation is to be present at all tournaments of this calibre to promote the Sahrawi cause", explains Mohamed, secretary of the Sahrawi Sports Federation. In addition, Mohamed complains that now in summer with the high temperatures "it is impossible to live". 

All the players who make up the Western Sahara team live either in Spain or in France, but the Federation's intention was to bring nine players from the Sahrawi camps, a wish that was cut short a few days before the start of the tournament. Although they do not know each other, all the players who have had the opportunity to travel to Donostia have not hesitated to send messages of encouragement and support to these nine youngsters. This is their way of life, because regardless of whether they know each other or not, and regardless of where they were born or where they have lived, they all have their sights set on fighting for the Saharawi cause. It is moving to see the illusion reflected in their faces after a long time of struggle and suffering, a suffering that, unfortunately, does not cease in their families. Despite their young age, each and every one of them is aware of the tragic situation of their families, demonstrating a maturity that is inappropriate but at the same time necessary for such young people. That is why the flag of Western Sahara never leaves their side.

All of them know that they must take advantage of this unique opportunity, a week of tournament in Donostia that, without a doubt, they would not be able to enjoy without the work and effort of their families. In the short but beautiful interviews that we have been able to do with them, at the end of each one of them, they wanted to send a message of thanks to their parents, siblings, grandparents and even cousins. It makes your skin crawl to hear them speak with such emotion and gratitude from their families, because even though they have not been able to come here physically, their spirit and heart are with the players.

Finally, it is worth noting that apart from all the struggle, they have come to enjoy themselves, and you can see that perfectly in their attitude. Always with a smile, jokes, jokes, dances and much more, because they are clear that they want and will live these six days in a joyful way. They have several visits and interviews planned, something that surely makes them very excited because of their way of being, and although we have only been able to talk to a couple of players, many of them also wanted to talk and participate. Now they have to enjoy themselves, both in the matches and during the day, and live a unique experience like the Donosti Cup to the fullest, all with a common cry or motto: "Sahara libre".