Ramin

Sport is a way to meet people, make contacts and often even establish beneficial friendships which continue outside the sports club.

Ramin Sedighi comes from Kabul, Afghanistan. He’s been in Germany since 2015, and is an active member and coach of the Black Bears Berlin taekwondo club.

“I ran my own taekwondo school in Kabul (Afghanistan), and myself competed in tournaments as an active member of the national team. I also trained the Olympics athletic team in the sprints, and participated in competitions with them. The son of an influential politician and military officer trained at my sports school. He wanted his son to participate in competitions even though the son’s performances were not good enough. Because I did not comply with his request, my school was destroyed and my family terrorised.

My family was no longer safe anywhere in Kabul, and I decided to escape with my cousin. My martial arts experience helped me get through the physical and mental stresses of the escape. I carried a lot of people who were unable to go on, and went to fetch water. After arriving in Germany, I first coached at Master Kang’s school in Berlin, but it was very far from where I was living in Spandau. With the help of a social worker, I eventually found the Black Bears Berlin, who accepted me with open arms.

I have met a lot of new people and found new friends through the Black Bears. The people at the club are very helpful. They have helped me look for a traineeship, a home, a job, and many other things. Most importantly, they helped me improve my German. I hope to be able to play sport until I grow old. I want to compete in tournaments and measure myself against others. Perhaps I’ll make the national team here too, and someday represent Germany at international competitions.”