Journalist: Apostolos Staikos
Operator/Editor: Giannis Dolas
“I can’t wait to come to training—and it’s not just me; all the children feel the same way. We love Taekwondo, we exercise, and we have a wonderful time,” says Chahd Ben Ali.
The 14-year-old from Tunisia participates in “Together in Sport – Phase II”. The programme is open to children aged 7 to 17 and young people aged 18 to 21. Its aim is to help refugee children and young adults engage with sport and culture through activities in which they participate alongside their peers from local communities.
“I have been involved in sports since I was very young and have tried many different activities. But Taekwondo has always been especially close to my heart. When my family and I arrived in Greece, I did not know whether I could join a team or where to ask for information. One day, while attending an English lesson at METAdrasi’s educational centre, I saw a poster for ‘Together in Sport’. I spoke to the staff, learned more about the programme, and now I am part of the team,” Chahd explains.
The first phase of “Together in Sport” was implemented in 2021 and 2022, bringing together more than 9,000 refugee children and children from local communities in various regions across Greece. Its success led to the continuation of the initiative through “Together in Sport – Phase II”. Over the past five years, the programme has given more than 24,000 refugee children and children from local communities the opportunity to participate equally in sporting and cultural activities.
“Together in Sport – Phase II” is implemented by METAdrasi (project coordinator), the Hellenic Olympic Committee, and the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB). The German Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) supports with coordination and co-funding. The project is also co-funded by the AMIF (2021-2027).
“Sport helps children open up and gain confidence. They learn the meaning of teamwork and collective effort, as well as the importance of hard work and discipline in achieving their goals. That is why, in my view, ‘Together in Sport’ is so important. It supports children as they rebuild their lives and become part of Greek society. It helps them socialise and, ultimately, contributes to shaping the active citizens of tomorrow,” says Taekwondo coach Panagiotis Tsoulis.
Every Tuesday and Friday, Chahd goes with her best friend to Neo Faliro, where the training sessions take place. For young athletes living in refugee accommodation facilities, Taekwondo offers more than an opportunity to exercise. It is also a chance to leave the camp environment, meet people their own age, and form new friendships.
“I met girls and boys from many different countries here, and now we spend time together. I remember that some of them were quite shy at first. But after two or three training sessions, they began to open up, talk to the person next to them, and, of course, fall in love with the sport. It is also very important that we train and play with children from Greece. It gives us the opportunity to grow closer and become friends,” says the 14-year-old athlete.
Taekwondo is one of the most popular activities offered through “Together in Sport – Phase II”. Participants can also choose from a wide range of sporting and cultural activities, including kickboxing, volleyball, football, acrobatics, dance, drama workshops, visual arts, and many more. Particular emphasis is placed on the inclusion of children and young people with physical or intellectual disabilities, while participation in all activities is free of charge.
Panagiotis Tsoulis did not hesitate when he was invited to coach a group of refugee children. He understands that, for some of them, sport can provide a valuable escape from a challenging daily life. At the same time, he recognises that the work comes with its own difficulties.
For some children, it is their first experience of Taekwondo, while others initially find it difficult to follow instructions and respect the rules. Gradually, however, they become familiar with the training environment and learn to trust both their coach and their teammates. Tsoulis greatly values the effort they make.
“It all begins with a smile, perhaps accompanied by a little awkwardness. During the first few sessions, some children are hesitant. I can see them observing both me and their teammates as they try to familiarise themselves with the environment and understand how the group works. But this usually lasts no more than two or three sessions. Then come the laughter, the joy, and the feeling of belonging. From that point on, everything begins to fall into place. As I watch the children develop, I see that they have become more outgoing. They enjoy the training and continue to improve their performance,” the Taekwondo coach says.
Language can also present a challenge. The young athletes may understand and respond to commands such as “Shijak” for “Start”, “Sho” for “Relax”, “Kalyo” for “Break”, and “Joonbi” for “Ready”, but they speak different languages. This does not, however, prevent them from communicating.
“The members of the team come from many different countries, yet they always find a way to understand one another. Hassan might ask Mahdi, for example, ‘Did you understand what the coach said?’ I see them helping one another through gestures, signs, and the few words they share. No one in our group is left alone. We support one another and move forward together. I have also noticed that several of the children are genuinely talented. They have the potential to progress and develop further,” Tsoulis says.
Chahd is one of the athletes who has stood out. Her consistency, dedication, and strong performance have opened the door to the next stage of her sporting journey. Spyros Zacharopoulos, who coached the “Together in Sport – Phase II” team the previous year, noticed her progress and invited her to join the “ATHLOS – Egaleo” Taekwondo Sports Club.
Since the beginning of 2026, Chahd has divided her time between training with the club and participating in “Together in Sport”. She continues to develop her talent without losing sight of what she values most about the team: the joy of sport, communication, and friendship.
