Last month, we had the pleasure to report a life-affirming story told against the backdrop of chaos and war. While these distressing geopolitical circumstances continue, so too does the good news emerging from the human side of the conflict. As reported in our September 15 story, "Bigger Than Sport," three members of Afghanistan Table Tennis Team were invited to participate in two major tournaments in Qatar. The magnanimous gesture of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Foundation and the Qatar Table Tennis Association (QTTA) granted the athletes not only wild card spots in two major international tournaments, but a welcome respite from the chaos and fear of life in Afghanistan under Taliban rule. Now, after the WTT Star Contender Doha and the Asian Table Tennis Championships, the table tennis trio are bringing hope to those less fortunate than themselves. Still in Qatar, Mustafa Bakhtiyari, Mohammad Hosseini and Behrooz Daneshmand took the time to visit refugees displaced from Afghanistan. Housed at Doha's Villa Park Compound, constructed in advance of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the Afghani evacuees were delighted to partake in some friendly table tennis with their own national team. The prevalent merriment increased further when retired soccer legend David Beckham joined the party, seen here being humored by Afghani team captain Mohammad Hosseini. "Thanks to the organization of QTTA, the visit to the Villa Park Compound was unforgettable," reported team member Behrooz Daneshmand. "I was happy to be with my compatriots and the laughter and happiness on their faces was priceless. Migration and displacement impact us greatly, especially those young children and I hope by being there as a role model, I was able to show them the strength we have as individuals and not to give up in times like this." Afghanistan remains in the clutches of a regressive, repressive regime, and those who have managed to escape count themselves lucky. As seen in Qatar, however, there remain glimmers of hope for humanity even in the darkest of times.

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