Palestine cager gives troubled land a fighting chance

Photo from Sakakini’s Facebook account

CHANGSHA CITY, China—Palestine, a country torn by conflict for the longest time, remains an enigma to many in the world of sports.

In the Fiba Asia Olympic Qualifier, set to tip off here on Wednesday, the Palestinians will be spearheaded by a fighter of a different breed.

Sani Sakakini has been regarded as the Palestines’ finest cager, the first to make basketball a profession. Despite his great skills, which he could have used to gain citizenship elsewhere, he has never turned his back on his people.

“I am trying to prove to people in my country that I am trying to build something from nothing,” the 6-foot-9 Sakakini told Les Carpenter of The Guardian in Las Vegas, during a break in his training for the Fiba Asia.

“I love my country,” Sakakini said.

Sakakini is from Ramallah in the West Bank, a place that has been ravaged by war even before he was born. Conflict has been a way of life there that no one dared dream of making a living as a professional athlete.

The 28-year-old Sakakini has played in pro leagues in China, Lebanon and Jordan and is hoping to one day become the first Palestinian to make it to the NBA. He will use the Fiba Asia stint to draw attention from scouts, at least those trying to spot talents for the European league.

Sakakini is not only considered as the face of the Palestine national team; he made the national team possible.

He was responsible for recruiting former University of Minnesota guard Jamal Abu-Shamala and the duo built a team from there.

“I want to live in peace,” Sakakini told Carpenter when pressed to talk about the conflict back home. “This conflict, this fight, it’s not for us. I mean, if we keep like this, we are going to all die.

“If you are going to live 60, 70, 80, 90 years, just live in peace and go wherever you want and enjoy life. I’m a peace guy, I am peaceful and I want everybody to be happy.”