Georgian soldier wounded in ISAF mission eyes Para-canoe world championship

A wounded Georgian soldier has been invited to compete in this week’s Para-canoe World Championships in Italy.

Ahmed Safarov, a Georgian soldier who lost both his limbs in Afghanistan, is being supported by the Ministry of Defence for the August 19-23 international competition in Milan, Italy.

He was invited to attend the event by European Rafting Federation President. While in the United States undergoing rehabilitation, the wounded soldier expressed his interest to compete in the competition and his request was accepted and supported by the Georgian side.

This will be the first time a Georgian soldier has taken part in this type of competition.

The Georgian Rafting Federation has helped Safarov prepare for the prestigious tournament by offering him a special coach. Photo by Ministry of Defence.

Safarov lost both his lower legs while serving in the Georgian military alongside US troops in the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) peacekeeping mission in Afghanistan.

Today Chief of General Staff of the Georgian Armed Forces Major-General Vakhtang Kapanadze and Deputy Minister of Defence Besik Loladze responded to Safarov’s challenge and wished him success for the upcoming competition.

The officials wished him success and noted that the rehabilitation of wounded soldiers and their participation in sports was a priority of the Ministry.

The licence for the upcoming Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, will be drawn in Milan.