This 12-Year-Old Para-Athlete Carries The UAE Flag And The Dreams Of A Generation

(MENAFN- Khaleej Times)

When Darwish Al Rashidi sprinted across the track carrying the UAE flag during the Dubai 2025 Asian Youth Para Games promo video, he had no idea that the moment would make him one of the most recognisable young faces of the event. The video went viral, and suddenly, this shy table tennis player from the UAE became a symbol of pride, courage, and youthful spirit.

At just 12 years old, Darwish is stepping into one of the biggest moments of his young life – representing the UAE for the first time at the Dubai 2025 AYPG. With a quiet smile and a spark of excitement in his eyes, he walks into the venue not just as a competitor, but as a child discovering who he wants to become.

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Darwish's journey into sports began unexpectedly. When asked how he started playing table tennis, he laughed and admitted:“My mother told me to come to the club. I didn't want to come at first. Then I changed my mind, and when I went, I started to like it.”

Now, after one year of training, he finds himself competing on an international stage. Balancing school along with sports, he attends Grade 7 at Al Qeyam School – but surprisingly, he told us:“No, my school doesn't know that I am a Para athlete.”

Even though table tennis is the sport he competes in, Darwish's heart belongs to football. With a big grin, he said:“If I have a chance to play football or table tennis, I will play football.”

His favourite team is Barcelona, and he dreams of traveling to Saudi Arabia someday to watch Cristiano Ronaldo play live. But when asked his biggest goal in his sporting career, he didn't hesitate to say that,

“I want to compete at the Paralympics.”

Darwish's ambition doesn't stop at table tennis or football. Curious and energetic, he revealed,“I want to discover more sports,” he shared adding that cycling is next on his list.

At home, life is full of noise and laughter - he is the middle child among four siblings, two brothers and two sisters. When he's not training at the club, Darwish enjoys the simple comfort of playing ludo with his family.

Born with his right upper limb disability, the Emirati speaks about it with strength and maturity beyond his age. And through it all, the support he receives from the UAE and Dubai club has meant a lot to him.

“They are very good,” he said warmly.“They support me and the other athletes.”

As he enters the Asian Youth Para Games, his goal is clear and humble:“I want to get experienced in order to know how the games work.”

Recently, Darwish became an online sensation after a video of him running proudly with the UAE flag went viral. Becoming the face of the Games hasn't overwhelmed him - it has filled him with pride.

“It feels very good, and I am so proud of it,” he said.

Representing the UAE is a responsibility he carries with honour. And as he takes his first steps into the world of international Para sports, one thing is certain - Darwish is not just participating; he is beginning a journey filled with dreams, courage, and endless possibilities.

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