He said that "the state only focuses on soccer, despite the achievements of table tennis players" like Imad, who brought home the Paralympic gold from the 2024 Paris Games.

Iraq has a long tradition of women's sports, with teams competing in regional soccer, weightlifting and boxing tournaments.

But there is also vocal opposition seeking to exclude women and bar mixed-gender events.

In southern Iraq, a largely conservative area where Sarmad's team is based, organizers of a marathon last year were forced to make it a men-only event after a social media controversy over women's participation in sports.

Iraqis living with disabilities often face additional challenges amid a general lack of awareness about their rights and inclusion.

For award-winning table tennis player Iman Hamza, 24, society mistakenly sees women with disabilities like her "as helpless people who cannot do anything".

"But we were able to become world champions."

AFP