A Pool at Shorabak?

About two weeks ago, I was informed by Lieutenant Joshua Pogue, a co-worker of mine at 2d Marine Expeditionary Brigade Afghanistan who works at Shorabak, that there is a pool there. Shorabak is an Afghan National Army (ANA) base a few minutes away from Camp Leatherneck. Josh called me because he knew about the Afghanistan National Water Polo Team, 201st Corps Swim and Water Polo Team, and my work at the 201st Commando Kandak. He knew I would be immediately interested in hearing this news. Since then, I have asked Josh many times about the pool: Where it was, how to get there, how the pool was built, what it was used for in the past, future plans for the pool, and which ANA soldiers had more information about the pool.

I was finally able to escape from work and go to Shorabak. I received a quick tour of Shorabak from Josh. He took me to go eat at a linguist dining facility at FOB Tombstone, an adjacent base operated by the UK. The food was very reminiscent of my dining experiences in Pol-e-Charki at the linguist dining facility, Commando dining facility, and the ANA dining facility; and at the Commando field mess in Jalalabad. A lot of rice, a little meat, and many vegetables and fruit. We took our meals to one of the linguists’ tents and ate there. We sat on the floor and ate our feast, spoke about a myriad of topics to include American politics, Afghan politics, the Marine Corps, and the soap opera that was playing on the television that was in Farsi. It was a very enjoyable time and our hosts were just happy for us to be there.

After lunch, Josh showed me the pool. It was right across the street from the building he works in. The pool stands above ground and on a man-made hill. There is a staircase leading up to it with nice tiling and barbed wire surrounding the entire structure. The pool is about the size of a large backyard pool or your standard hotel pool. It is about 15 yards long and 10 yards wide. There was some trash inside the pool: plastic bottles, soda cans, wrappers, and some miscellaneous scraps. There was also some dirt and gravel inside. I also found a rubber tube that looked like it was possibly used for putting water into the pool.

Josh then told me that Colonel Sarwa, the S-3 officer for 3rd Brigade, 205th Corps, Afghan National Army built the pool by hand last year. By the looks of the pool and the limited resources in the area, he did a magnificent job building the pool. I was hoping to meet the colonel but he was away with his brigade fighting the war. From what Josh was told, the pool is the best place to be during the hot months for all of the ANA soldiers in Helmand Province. As he was telling me this, I was watching the 30 or so ANA soldiers sitting on the edge of the pool…with no water in it.

Josh then took me to meet Captain Zebullah. Since Colonel Sarwa was gone, Captain Zebullah who is the assistant S-3 officer for the brigade would be the most suitable person to help with my goal of starting a swimming and water polo team at this pool. Captain Zebullah was gone at the moment and one of his soldiers told us that he would be back soon. Since I was gone from work for a while already and Josh also had to go back to work, we decided that I would come back and the beginning of the week to speak with Captain Zebullah.

I eagerly await to meet and discuss the idea of a swim and water polo team at Shorabak. I think it will be a great opportunity for the ANA soldiers, for the people in the area, build the important bridges between US and Afghan military, and spread these sports into more areas and people in Afghanistan. Another crazy idea, I know. We will see where this takes us.

Mohibrehman

On Christmas Day, 2009, I am sitting here at work in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. I am in Afghanistan serving in the capacity of a United States Marine, not as the Head Water Polo Coach for the Afghanistan National Water Polo Team. I have been here since the beginning of last month and am missing the entire holiday season. No Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, Easter, birthdays, and special events to be spent with my family. I am missing even more of my children's' lives.

I am also saddened by the news I received today. With the help of a linguist, I spoke with Ahmad Shah over the phone, receiving an updated status on compiling all of the information required to obtain passports. Another athlete on the team has passed. He too was an ANA soldier. In particular, he was a commando in the Afghan National Army. He died while serving his country, fighting against the Taliban. And he definitely called the Taliban "The enemy of his country."

Mohibrehman was about 27 years old. Like many Afghans, he did not have a birth certificate. Just an estimate from his family of when he was born. He was from the village of Shahi, in Laghman Province. He was a very reserved man. He remained focus and only spoke when he had something very important to say or a very inquisitive question to ask.

Mohibrehman was a first sergeant in the 201st Commando Kandak. It was the same unit that I mentored while I was in Afghanistan last year. I saw him a few times a week through the course of my duties but it was through the creation of the 201st Corps Swim and Water Polo Team where I really came to know him. He quickly emerged as a natural leader of the team. Just like I would see him training his soldiers through a weapons range, clearing buildings, teaching classes, or leading his company in unit physical training (He was the only leader that I ever saw on the Pol-e-Charki Base leading a platoon size or larger unit in a formation run); he would lead the team during drills, scrimmages, stretching, or dryland training. He always ensured that all of his teammates were ready to practice both mentally and physically, were quiet during instruction, and always asked important questions to ensure that all of his teammates understood what I was trying to communicate.

Prior to the 201st Corps Swim and Water Polo Team, he never swam in a pool before. Mohibrehman never participated in organized sports before. He never encountered the game of water polo. This did not deter him from wanting to excel and become a good athlete and great leader for the team.

If you were to say the name Mohibrehman, the first three memories that come to mind are:

1. Mohibrehman would make sure all of the athletes of the 201st Corps Swim and Water Polo Team stayed hydrated throughout the day and even made sure that they all ate enough food as the Afghan National Army chow hall on Pol-e-Charki did not always have enough food. As they would walk up the long hill, he would have refilled water bottles that he would make them drink and would always have extra fruit in his cargo pockets. Even in the Commando chow hall, he would make sure all of the athletes were served enough food and ate it all. He would not allow them to drink anything else other than water.

2. I had a problem with an athlete on the 201st Corps Swim and Water Polo Team during the first week of practice. On the third day of practice, I had it with him. He was too disruptive during practice and was a distraction for everyone. At the end of the practice, I told all of the athletes to get out of the water and to line up in groups of five, for some final sprints. As everyone was lining up, this athlete decided to do a cannonball into the water. After he figured out that I was not amused, he quickly got out of the water and in line. After the sprints were completed, but before I could call this athlete over, Mohibrehman came up to me and told me that he would take care of it. Take care of it? What did that mean? Mohibrehman was only a First Sergeant and the athlete that was causing problems was a Captain. Well, I game Mohibrehman a chance and I never had a problem with this athlete. He actually turned out to be one of the biggest assets of the 201st Corps Swim and Water Polo Team.

3. During the Afghanistan National Water Polo Team Tryouts in 2008, he not only made sure that all of the 201st Corps Swim and Water Polo Team athletes stretched and prepared for the tryouts, he directed all of the athletes participating in the tryouts to stretch with the team. He did this knowing that this may reduce the chance that he and the other athletes on the 201st Corps Swim and Water Polo Team would have to make the Afghanistan National Water Polo Team. He also made sure that they were prepared everyday for the tryouts, directing them to stay hydrated and ensured that they ate enough during the day. He even arranged for a place to stay for the athletes who came from 8-10 hours away.

He took the 201st Corps Swim and Water Polo Team and the Afghanistan National Water Polo Team very seriously. Maybe it was because of his natural leadership, seriousness demeanor, it was the first time he was in an organized sport, or because he did not want to lose the opportunity to swim in a pool, spend quality time with his comrades, or be part of a sports team. However, I will not be able to ever ask him questions like these again.

He was a great man and he will be sorely missed, by his family, friends, villagers, Commandos that he led, and by his teammates, both on the 201st Corps Swim and Water Polo Team and by the athletes on the Afghanistan National Water Polo Team. I hope one day I will be able to meet his family and explain to them what I thought about him, my sorrow for their loss, and his contribution to Afghanistan as an athlete and leader of the Afghanistan National Water Polo Team and more importantly, as a hero for his country as a Commando in the Afghan National Army.

Afghanistan National Water Polo Becomes Official

Since the Afghanistan National Water Polo Team tryouts have ended, I have only heard from Rohullah, the Swim Chair at the Afghanistan National Olympic Committee once. This was at the national swim competition a few days ago. Reshad and I were trying to get a hold of him but he was not answering his phone or email. Reshad finally got a hold of him last night and when he came to work today, he told me, in front of the S-1 Officer, that we would be meeting with Rohullah.

Since I knew that the S-1 Officer would insist on the armed escort, I thought that we could kill two birds with one stone. The S-1 Officer and I were talking about taking a trip to Darul Aman to recruit graduating soldiers, from the Afghan National Army boot camp, to fill some shortfalls in the 201st Commando Kandak. It was a perfect opportunity to go to Darul Aman today.

Abdul Kholic, the S-1 Officer, agreed that today would be a great day to go as the Commando Kandak was already paid and all of the pay reports, that show that every Commando was paid, were already submitted. This saved me from having to sneak out without an armed escort and leaving Abdul Kholic feeling like I did not want to listen to a very respected man, full of wisdom, about how a "well known and important American" needs to remain protected and safe.

Abdul Kholic quickly coordinated a three vehicle convoy, two pickup trucks with mounted weapons and a 7-ton truck to carry all of the soldiers we were planning on bringing back, and about ten Commandos as drivers and to man the crew served weapons and protect the convoy.

Knowing how the Commandos drive, how much traffic there is, and that most of the people on the road are first time drivers, I opted to ride with Abdul Kholic. I have been a passenger in his vehicle on many trips before and he is a very defensive and proactive driver. I think that he would do quite well driving in California, the Republic of Korea, or other places around the world that have unpredictable drivers.

The drive to Rohullah's office was quick and uneventful as there was not a lot of traffic. We arrived early at Rohullah's office, but he was not there yet. His assistant said that he was meeting with the President of the Afghanistan National Olympic Committee about some swim matters. His assistant quickly ushered Abdul Kholic, Reshad, and I into Rohullah's office and had tea and some pastries made for us. He also had someone bring tea and pastries out for all of the Commandos who were waiting by the vehicles. Hospitality is so wonderful in Afghanistan!

When Rohullah arrived, he quickly came into the office and was very excited to meet with us. After the introduction of Abdul Kholic and Rohullah and listening to the two of them speak for a while, we all started speaking about current events, the upcoming presidential election in the United States, the weather, and the success of the national swim competition. Rohullah was very optimistic about the results of the swim competition, which was the first ever swim meet in Afghanistan, especially when "the expert", believe me, I am no expert, agreed that it was a well run competition with great results. I think my encouragement about how well the swim meet went made his day.

Rohullah quickly cut to the chase and said that he appreciated my help with teaching aquatics sports to the people of his country and for helping him strengthen aquatics in Afghanistan. He reviewed the strategic plan of a proposed national program over the past week and read the list of athletes that were recommended for the national team. He was even approving of my recommendations for coaches for the national team. He profusely thanked me for my hard work and dedication and hoped that this would be the beginnings of something great for Afghanistan.

Rohullah started telling me that hopefully they will be able to continue the program in the future because things are very tough as he receives no money from the Afghanistan National Olympic Committee for the national swim program. He said "God willing" they will be able to do something in the future with the team. This was a little disappointing as it seemed that Rohullah was not focused on taking on this program. Seeing my disappointment, Reshad and Abdul Kholic started telling him how great a national water polo program, with Afghans from Afghanistan, would be for the country. That Afghanistan needed this.

After about ten minutes of me not being able to get a word in edgewise because of the heated discussion between Rohullah, Reshad, and Abdul Kholic, about the future of the potential Afghanistan National Water Polo Team, Rohullah stopped the discussion and asked Reshad a question for me. The question was simple, "What were my thoughts?" My response was simple, to tell the Afghanistan National Olympic Committee to create a national water polo program, based off of the plan we worked so hard to make. Upon hearing my response, he asked Reshad "Will I help them?" I answered "I wanted to continue to support them in the development of a national water polo program."

During Rohullah's recent meeting with the President of the Afghanistan National Olympic Committee, Rohullah was discussing the Afghanistan National Olympic Committee's thought process on their budgeting or lack thereof and the lack of support to the national swim program. The president, not wanting to be questioned about his direction, started asking Rohullah about the progression of water polo. By the end of their meeting, Rohullah did not get any swim questions answered but came back with the approval to officially start a national water polo program. Rohullah knowing this, did not share his excitement about this when we first started talking today, but it still made me happy.

Rohullah also wanted to know if I would lead the program. I was touched by the notion that he would think of me that way. I told him that I would help them in developing the program and that I did not have the background to lead a national program. I explained that I was just a high school varsity water polo coach, a club swim coach, and previously ran some club water polo teams that were successful. I would help them find some quality coaches and help them in the development from the plan we created. I was also concerned about my availability between my job and how much longer I would actually be in Afghanistan. I did not want to commit to something that I could not follow through on. I did not want to be like the "old story" that I was just another westerner or American who promised something and did not follow through. I did not have any of the skills needed to start, develop, and fundraise for a national sports program and its national team, other than interest and my recent focus of starting the team at Pol-e-Charki and organizing the national team tryouts. I told him that I would speak with Leilani and we would pray and discuss about it. I would give him an answer in a few days.

Since we had to get to Darul Aman, we had to finish our meeting. Rohullah was hoping for us to stay longer and for an answer, but I told him it will come soon.

Our trip to Darul Aman was very interesting. Between us almost getting in 50 accidents and Abdul Kholic's sole focus on why I would not coach the team, it was a pretty stressful ride. It was amazing to see how a big 7-ton truck can maneuver through traffic. We survived the ride there but Abdul Kholic was not done asking why I was not willing to help. I tried ten different ways to explain it to him that I did not say no, I just needed to think about it, discuss it with Leilani, and look at the feasibility of it. Could this be something that could really be put together? If I were to take this program on, the team could not train two-three months out of the year. We would have to get them out of Afghanistan and into a first world country to train the team. I tried explaining this Abdul Kholic, through Reshad, that there was a lot to think about. Abdul Kholic was still not happy and felt that I did not care about Afghanistan.

Towards the entrance of the base at Darul Aman, there was a palace from a former king of Afghanistan. Even though it was almost completely destroyed, you could see the beauty and could imagine how it once looked. I tried asking Abdul Kholic about it, but he was frustrated with me. Reshad tried giving me a little history about the palace.

The graduation ceremony at Darul Aman was very quaint. It was on a dirt track, the graduating platoons did a pass in review, there were two band members who were just learning how to play their instruments, and it took seven minutes. Other than Reshad, the Commandos, and I, there were no other spectators. It was very different from a boot camp graduation ceremony in the United States, where the bleachers would be full of families and friends, a big military band participating, a pass in review where everyone is in step, a honor guard, a long speech from the commander and maybe a guest speaker, all of which could take between thirty minutes and an hour.

After the ceremony, Abdul Kholic went to the drill instructors and told them which soldiers he wanted. During the ceremony, he watched at how the soldiers marched and stood in formation. He also looked at how healthy and strong they looked. The drill instructors called the soldiers out of formation after Abdul Kholic would point them out. The soldiers then went to get their bags and jumped on the truck. It was a very quick process and the soldiers were not told where they were going or anything. It was an interesting evolution to watch and I wondered how the Afghan National Army would account for these individuals or what would happen when these soldiers did not show up at their new commands. I guess we will see how this works.

Even though Abdul Kholic was satisfied that we accomplished a big mission that he and I have been working for a long time, he was still mad at me and did not say much on the way back to Pol-e-Charki. We were still defying death and accidents by the miracle of us fitting in spaces half the size of the vehicles. With no regard for the newly recruited soldiers who were stuffed in the back of the 7-ton truck like sardines, they somehow made it back to Pol-e-Charki with no incident too.

The rest of the day was very quiet. Not much was said in the office. Hopefully, I will be able to talk about this with Leilani soon.

National Swim Competition and Dirty Pools

One day after the Afghanistan National Water Polo Team tryouts, I went back up to the pool to gather all of the suits and goggles from the supply room. Rohullah Marouf, the Swim Chair at the Afghanistan National Olympic Committee told me that there would be a national swim competition in a few days and he wanted the 201st Corps Swim and Water Polo Team to be there and if I could contact all of the athletes who tried out for the Afghanistan National Water Polo Team. As I walked up the long and steep hill and past the destroyed buildings, I noticed a lot of Afghan soldiers on the pool deck, enjoying themselves just like people would on a pool deck anywhere in the rest of the world. Soldiers were listing to music, sitting in chairs or on the ground, and jumping in the pool. There was lots of laughter and conversation that could be heard from afar.

Upon my arrival, after about 24 hours from my last visit to the pool, I saw a dirty pool. Not just a dirty pool, a dark pool where you could not see the bottom. It was not windy and there were no dust storms. The pool was a mixture between brown and black and I could not understand how people could be swimming, bathing, drinking, or washing clothes in that water. I ran down the hill, went to my room and got my camera, and then ran back all the way up the hill to take a photo. I took a picture because I knew that I could not effectively describe how the pool would look.

The national swim competition was at a pool near the Afghanistan National Olympic Committee office and is next door to Rohullah's office. The Commando's I mentor insisted that they drive me there and provide security for me. After many discussions with the S-1 and S-3 officers about the security that I did not need, they still insisted that I have it. They said that I was now a very important person for Afghanistan and that anytime I was to leave the base, I must have an armed escort. I laughed at the idea and explained, through Reshad's translation, that it is not up to me or anyone else when or where I die, I have been there many times before without an escort, and that I am not remotely important enough to have a driver and an armed escort. The idea was absurd.

On our way to the event, we dropped Reshad off by his house. He was thankful because it saved him a lot of time and the cost of sharing a taxi with many different people. Before we stopped, Reshad ensured that the Commandos (Yes, I was stuck with the escort) were aware of where the pool was and that if they got lost, I could only help them to a point. My driving time and known routes in Kabul was somewhat limited, my Dari skills and the Commandos' English speaking skills were incompatible, and I did not want to drive around the city, armed escort or not, and end up somewhere where I was in potential danger (My perception for danger has a high tolerance. Most situations are not dangerous for me). Even though the driver and I ended up disagreeing on directions once we were on the road again, we got there without getting lost and with no problems.

The swim competition was a lot of fun to watch. It was very reminiscent of the Pol-e-Charki Base swim competition and of the Afghanistan National Water Polo Team tryouts. Everyone was swimming their hearts out. There were athletes from many different areas of the country. Most of the athletes were novice swimmers, with the exception of the members of the national swim team, who were all there.

The event was very serious in nature, as all other organized sports events I have encountered here. The athletes on the 201st Corps Swim and Water Polo Team wanted to wear their water polo caps to the swim meet to show that they were professional athletes and representing their team (Even though I told them repeatedly that the water polo caps are not designed for swim competition). There were banners covering the fences, VIP seating area, podium complete with microphone and speakers, and seating areas for the general public. There was an opening ceremony, where Rohullah, someone else from the Afghanistan National Olympic Committee, and some other prominent individual spoke; the reading of the Qur’an; and singers.

There were about 50 swimmers who competed in 7 events; 50, 100, and 200 freestyle; 100 butterfly; 100 backstroke; 100 breaststroke; and 100 individual medley (IM). Some of the events they had several heats and other events only had a few athletes. The 50 freestyle had six heats but there were only two swimmers in the 100 butterfly. The two athletes, who swam the 100 IM, swam the strokes well but would have been disqualified in a sanctioned international meet.

Rohullah Nikpai (In the suit, in center of photo), who just returned from the Olympic Games in Beijing, with a bronze medal in hand (First Afghan to ever win a medal in the history of Afghanistan), even arrived to speak at the event. Even though he was late to the opening ceremony and had to speak in the middle of the event, it did not matter. Everyone was in awe once he stepped on the pool deck and it became very quiet in a short amount of time. Even the competitors in the water stopped swimming their event because he walked on the pool deck. He was a soft spoken individual who has the look of pride and determination in his eyes. Everyone wanted to be near him, in hope that touching him or being within a few feet of him would create the osmosis process, where they can take his accomplishments and morph them into something great that the individual who touched him can become. He spoke to the large crowd for a few minutes. At the end of the speech, there were deafening cheers that could be heard all of the way back to Beijing. He shook many hands and took many pictures. About an hour after arriving, he finally was allowed to leave the pool deck and walk out to the street. I would have to imagine that it took him another 30 minutes to walk the 100 yards from the pool to his vehicle before he was able to leave as well.

A few minutes after his final departure, this swim competition finally resumed.

The 201st Corps Swim and Water Polo Team athletes did very well. They placed highly in all of the events, with the exception of the butterfly and individual medley. They even won a few of the events. It was nice to see that they were competitive but I hope in future years that the times in the "national championships" will be a little faster.

With Ramadan coming up and cooler weather around the corner, this will be the end of aquatic sports for the year. Hopefully next year will have more citizens of this country participating in sports that involve a pool.

Water Polo in Afghanistan

I currently work with the United States Army as an administrative mentor for the 201st Commando Battalion, Afghan National Army. Here since January 2008 I’ve enjoyed my job and the soldiers that I support. The Special Operations units, both American and Afghan, are instrumental in fighting the war on terrorism and are influential in helping Afghanistan become a stable country and one that can sustain itself. These units have taken casualties in the past and unfortunately, because of their missions, there is a high probability that they will take more in the future. I live and work on an Afghan National Army base named Pol-e-Charki. It is about 15 miles east of the capital, Kabul. Near our compound, there is an unfilled swimming pool. Scouting it numerous times I realized that there is a great opportunity to help people and do something I love at the same time: Coaching. I have been in several coaching situations in my career but none have prepared me for my current coaching opportunity.

As a quick background of seldom mentioned information about Afghanistan, there are an estimated 33 million citizens. These people mostly live in poverty. With the exception of highly developed parts of cities, most of the Afghan population lives in mud-brick buildings. Many people beg for food, water, or anything that you are willing to give them. Shoes are a luxury in some areas and many of the people who do have shoes, do not even have shoes that fit. Prior to the US and coalition forces helping the people of Afghanistan, the Taliban was in control of the country. While the Taliban was in control, most people were not allowed to attend schools, especially women. Less than 30% of all the people in Afghanistan are literate and only 12% of women can read or write. The Taliban did not allow music, athletics, telephones, cell phones, televisions, computers, or internet. Outside of major cities, very few people have access to electricity.

Afghanistan has a few major sports. Until recently and even at present, most of these sports are recreational only and do not have developed structure. These sports include running, football (soccer), volleyball, and cricket. Until recently, none of these sports are played at the local, regional, or national level. People run for pleasure only, very few do it for exercise. The only time people run in competition, is between friends. Volleyball seems to be the most played sport for Afghans and from observing them play, I would have to say it is their best sport. I cannot find the origins of why the Afghan’s love that game or why they are so good at it. I believe Afghanistan would have the best chance, out of all team sports, of making an Olympic bid with volleyball. Cricket is the least played, out of the team sports, which I have seen played in Afghanistan. Some Afghan’s obsession with cricket would be from British control of Afghanistan from the 1800s until 1919. Generations must have fully enjoyed the sport and taught it to their children. There is not much else that is known about it.

Football (Soccer) is the most widely known sport and as equally popular as volleyball. Most competitions are between people within a village and rarely between two villages. In my time here, I have seen many different versions of the soccer ball to include volleyballs, a plant that looked like a gourd, round watermelons, patched rubber, and what looked like bubble wrap taped with duct tape are some of the many examples. Football goals are as creative as the balls they shoot them in, clothes marking the ground, shells from mortar rounds, weapons, sheep or goats, rocks, trees, or rickshaws. My first experience of coaching in Afghanistan was in the sport of soccer. I was working with other Americans, a French soldier, and Afghans with trying to create a football league. We each took soldiers out of the units that worked with and developed teams. We were practicing a few times a week to hone their skills and teach them the international rules. Teaching basic fundamentals, like throw-ins, was an experience in itself. One day, in February, the Pol-e-Charki Base Commander decided to put barbed wire around the football field. This did not stop us from playing. However, once the Pol-e-Charki Base Commander, started sending his military police officers, with drawn weapons, to tell everyone that they could not use the field until the field was made to be perfect, we had to stop playing. The field has not been opened since that day.

Swimming is another pastime of Afghans. There are a few rivers, lakes, and reservoirs within the country. This is where the majority of swimming is performed. But there version of swimming differs as it is completely recreational. Proper stroke technique or the teaching of it is completely nonexistent. Based on a survey conducted in June of 2008, of 300 people, there is an estimated sixteen pools in the country, all located in the major cities. It is also estimated that less than 20% of the population knows how to swim (Paddling or treading water without drowning) and less than 2% of women know how to swim. Just like in athletics, women are not allowed to swim in public areas. The only opportunity that women learn how to swim is if they learned to swim before they were six years old, or if their family is rich and has their own pool.

Many of the Afghan soldiers are anxiously waiting for the pool to open as well. As it is hot, all of the buildings here have no air conditioning, and there are very few trees to find shade in, what is a better way to beat the heat than to jump into a pool? There are other uses for this pool that I have seen already. The Afghan National Army uses it as a reservoir as the water tower on the west side of the base is inoperable. I have also seen soldiers use the pool to do their laundry when the water is high enough for the soldiers to reach.

It is unknown when the pool was actually built. The buildings around the pool were destroyed during heavy fighting in different wars. The pool was rehabilitated a year ago but the pool was not open very long last summer. There is no pump or recirculation of water. No heating element, covers, lane lines, seating, or anything else you expect in a pool area. It is just a 25 yard pool with a bed of dirt lying on the bottom.

Once the pool does open, I still do not plan to jump in. There is no chlorine, bromine, or any other pool chemicals to keep the water safe. To add to the sanitation issue of the water, in Pol-e-Charki, there is no potable water. According to Safewateronline.com, the water and sanitation infrastructures in Afghanistan are severely damaged and non-operational. However, this information only includes where there are water and sanitation infrastructures in place. The United Nations specifies that almost all of these water facilities are only within major cities. The CIA World Factbook states that Afghanistan has “inadequate supplies of potable water” and the website lists almost every waterborne disease, known to man, that are in this unhealthy water. According to figures from the United Nations Children’s Fund, nineteen percent of those living in the cities, and only eleven percent of those living in the countryside have access to safe drinking water.

Another issue about this facility is the access to pool time when it opens. The pool is not a priority for the base commander. I have even offered my services to teach the Afghan soldiers how to swim in exchange for a few hours of pool time a week. The base commander’s response was that the pool is for soldiers to have fun and it should not be used to make soldiers work hard. In addition to this negative response, I recently located a company that was willing to ship free pool chemicals so we can keep the pool sanitary. Again, my request was turned down because if they need water for the base they may need to get it from the pool and it cannot be chlorinated.

Even with all of these setbacks, I am still as excited about teaching these Afghans about water polo as they are to learn. Soldiers that want to learn how to play “swimming football”, are so excited that they go to the pool everyday and see whether it is filled or not. These soldiers are amazing, to say the least. They have endured hardships that most Americans and the western world cannot fathom. They have had their homes destroyed, family members killed, have had to live in exile in other countries, little or no education (Most soldiers only have a 3rd grade education and most of their wives have had none), and they only get to see their families for a few weeks a year and some do not have direct access to contact them as telephones are a relatively new utility here, but they still find ways to smile, laugh, enjoy camaraderie with their friends, and be able to get excited about new things.

Their swimming apparel will be their army physical training shorts. No swim suits for these guys. They would be too embarrassed to wear them not because they fear jeering from their friends but because Islamic Republic of Afghanistan is a very conservative culture. Men do not walk around with their shirts off and women are required to be covered (Whether completely covered with no skin showing or everything but their face being covered). Swim suits are not needed but I do require some other equipment that is vital to the sport of water polo. These items would include balls, caps, and water polo goals. Bahram Hojreh, from Los Alamitos Water Polo, has done an outstanding job so far by donating caps, balls, a ball bag, air pump, a coach’s whistle, and instructions on how to build goals. I cannot wait until these items arrive in the mail. Now I just need to find the wood and metal to build these goals.

Through extensive research, through the internet, United States military, and through citizens of Afghanistan, there are no known swim teams and definitely no known water polo teams. This just might be the water polo polo team in Afghanistan and maybe even the first aquatics team. But some of these soldiers, who will come out to play water polo when the pool opens, may not be playing here in a year. Some will finish their duty in the army, some will be moved to another base, and some will be killed in the line of duty. We will see how the first water polo team in Afghanistan fares in its inaugural season.

A reminder that Afghanistan is in the middle of a war. The remnants of this building are down the hill from where the Camp Pol-E-Charki pool is.

Staff Sergeant Arif, a Commando in the Afghan National Army, stands next to the Camp Pol-e-Charki pool, where he plans on learning to swim and play water polo in.

A view from the pool deck of the Camp Pol-e-Charki pool. The pool offers a commanding view of the surrounding area for as far as the eye can see.