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biggest sacrifice Bring the dead She had to play badminton away from her family, especially her father, who started her in the sport when she was 10 years old. The sport has been a constant through all the ordeals of her refugee life, and as an IOC-awarded athlete she hopes will lead her to the Olympics.
“It pains me a little, and it’s hard not to play for your country. Who wouldn’t want to play under a flag and be proud of their country?” she asked, adding that it was a privilege though to play under the International Olympic Committee’s refugee program and get the chance to head to the Olympics.
The Iranian-born remembers winning every age-group tournament there, but was not chosen to represent her country, as she was discriminated against because of her mother’s religious choices.
Iran did not play fair. I was winning national championships. But they had problems with my mother’s religion so we had to leave. She was born a Muslim, but believes in Christianity and her change of religion has caused trouble.
It meant fleeing to Germany first and the UK later, seeking refugee status which meant Dorsa could not see her father, who had returned to Iran for a few more years. “It’s been 5 years since I’ve seen my dad face to face. He’s really proud of me playing this sport, and that keeps me going.”
It started with her dad asking her to try out badminton after a spot of basketball. She did not enjoy the team dynamic, and longed for an individual sport. She found badminton an interesting game after trying it out, and began competing in smaller tournaments. On 12/13, she thought she wanted to become a professional in the sport.
Her time as a refugee meant uncertainty as it could become the danger of remaining in a country as well as a constant fear of deportation. Badminton kept her happy during those tough times. I will get first place among nationals, but I can’t go back internationally in Iran. I was training so hard every day, it was painful,” she recalls the trouble of not being picked up by her native Iran.
Dorsa is playing singles and doubles in London now, with the latter engaging Sri Pradeepta Ananth. But she grew up with a crush on Carolina Marin in her early teens. She is now studying Sports Science at Sandwell College, and endorses An Se Young who saw her play in the All England earlier this year. You like the Korean attacking style of play. “In the men’s singles, I love Victor Axelsen.”
Her national singles ranking dropped after she moved from Birmingham to London because she couldn’t train as well as before. In doubles, it is ranked 41st in the UK. Dorsa’s ultimate goal is to get paid for what she does – playing badminton professionally, possibly representing the UK. Who wouldn’t want to play under a flag? She repeats.
You train on the court three times a week – Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, and in the gym three more days – on Saturdays you play tournaments, and Sundays are rest days. Being a professional athlete means she’s had to give up some of the things she loves — junk food, for a start. “I love food, but now I have a dietitian, and I’ve had to give up some foods,” she says of the discipline she drinks, a result of wanting to play at the highest level.
Winning the IOC Refugee Scholarship was one of the happiest days in Darsa’s life. “It’s an honor. What we can’t do in our country, we’ll be under that flag. The way I think, let’s make them proud anyway.” This is what keeps her going in training. There are fond memories of playing badminton with her friends in Iran, and accepting the circumstances the way things turned out. The scholarship will fund Dorsa’s training and competition in the run-up to Paris 2024, as it attempts to qualify for the Olympics.
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