“Four medals for Palestine in the International Gulf Championship!” This was the trend in newspapers about the Palestinian envoys winning. It was the championship of “International Gulf Cup” established in The Emirate of Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, where 500 champions of different verified ranks participated internationally. By this, Maher Haboush, the IUG graduate, has ranked the third position.
True Joy is when Home Rejoices.
I remember the very long way to home. When I thought: “My family must be rejoicing as they hear the news of my winning”. In some hours, I will arrive and assure them of my farewell to china and Dubai, and we will be reunited again. I will say a lot regarding how it felt to feel the breeze playing upon my cheeks. That breeze which travelled with me from my homeland towards my destination to always encourage me and fill me with delight. It was the breeze of my Gaza that gave me the promise that my day dream must become vivid. Those hours have passed and now is time for all the habitable globe to cherish with me. I think of all people as happy to see my winning. What I am sure of is that my own neighborhood welcomed me as the man’s men. They saw Arnold Schwarzenegger and Kevin Mark Lavon through me. They saw the divinity and power of all the international heroes when they welcomed me. They were hanging my pictures all over the places so that all comers and goers would behold. That all must know there is a hero over there. It fed my starving soul, yet I felt hungrier for more success. As I moved further, I saw my beloved daughters whom little I saw in the previous days and months, who were wholeheartedly performing their prayers, I beheld and cherish with them and with my mama, the true heroin, from whom I inherited courage. The true source of power and inspiration was awaiting to see her son rising again. I was then sure that I did what I have dreamt of. My mother, wife and daughters are all glad to see that success. And this could of course shush the voice inside that cares about the sayings of the rest of society that once said, “this success is a luxury that a Palestinian, a besieged Gazan will never afford.” The everyday struggle started and ended with those stupid words to which I never lent an ear. I disregarded those sayings by my mother’s prayers, my daughter’s awaiting, my wife’s on-going service; She has always waited on me unconditionally.
Childhood: Fuel to Manhood
As a kid, Haboush has gained the most renowned reputations. He had this kind of enthusiasm towards bodybuilding sports and Kung Fu sports. And this was what made him trace inspiration in his uncle who was playing frequently Kung Fu and Karate. Those sports besides academic studying were a welcoming home for Haboush and his distracted power and homeless thoughts. On his course of improving his professionality in sports, Haboush has merged himself in a sea whose waves are both inspiring and provoking for more progress. He has been watching films, mimicking Arab and international heroes, and therefore his desire to be one of them expanded. The IUG gym played the foster mother who aids the kid in his first steps.
From IUG Gym to Professionality and Internationalism
Choosing the major of Accounting to be studied was not his ultimate goal. It was, however, the means by which he will provide himself with a job. His goal was to fulfill the needs of bodybuilding sport, such as food and special materials. It was a real struggle to make equilibrium so that he works and practices at the same time. By this, he was keen on feeding his ambition while he gained very little by his own effort. It was not a waste of time though. His years of studying at the campus were a step forward in the regard of his own professionality. He took the advantage of being a member of the gym and participated in many activities. He also took part in many sport shows inside and outside the university. Ultimately, his name was crowned among the club of the campus. Therefore, he was privileged by becoming a training supervisor aiding the head of the club. For his great and distinguished effort, he was awarded by exemption from the Tuition fees for the rest of his university life. His ambition was frequently provoked by the shower of awards he has been awarded after every competition. He felt as if having a distinction scholarship yet better received. “Reaching the destiny was never what mattered for me. It is always about the joy of seeking and endeavoring”. It said that once it will pay off. Now is time for the talent to reward its patron. While he spent most of the day working in accounting from 8 am to 3 pm, he spent the rest of the daylight to 11 pm working as a trainer in gyms. Four years at the IUG gym, two years at Royal Litney, four years at Oxygen Gym, some months in Royal Fitness Gym, and some other months in the Palestinian Union Gym were hard times yet the sweetest. The urge to keep the ideal weight, to train intensively, and to lift weights accompanied him in every stage of his life. In 2018, success has crowned his endeavors and he gained the sixth rank in Dubai’s championship. Moreover, he got the seventh rank in the Asian championship. “to rise and lift my nation is my all-time wish”; he saw his wish fulfilled on granting Palestine his third position among the international circles in the championship of gulf classic international. I was eager to take this privilege lest the fire inside me should be put off.
Sweet Tortures
It is somehow weird to face sweet tortures. For him, food performed those sweet ones. “I longed for being part of the family gathers on sharing breakfast in Ramadan. However, “He accompanied his special diet food in order for him not to be tempted by his mother’s dishes. In the Eid, he was also deprived of sharing his family the sweets and the Kaek. He took upon himself to make an alley with boiled and grilled food against the fried and sweets. Not only food was challenging. The bitter words of others were poisonous too. “what a luxury of special food you afford” “should you be a champion? Or a hero” sarcastic voices were always there. But how for a hero to regard them? Trash of course. Should you be able to be a rival with international champions, will you find a way out to travel?” was the most frequent and persistent questioning. But how was he to regard the sayings! That who has painted and paved the way to goal, he must have another way where all the voices are shushed but his voice saying “you can do it; just move forward” he suppressed his desires and went on. He was patient since the destiny is clear and the reward is worth it. He reaped the fruit of his patience and ongoing practice when he was awaiting in Rafah boarder where he was rehearsing in the way to reach the international competition. That scene was witnessed by the comers and goers in the boarder and in the airport as well. And the hales.
Gratitude
Haboush is very grateful to be trained under the supervision of the trainer Abu Deyaa who made it possible for him to have a scholarship during his studying at the Islamic University. He sends sincere thanks to the president who made every possible effort in order to provide him with financial support. He is also owed to the Saudi Arabian trainer, Mohammad Al-Masry, who pushed him to participate in international championships.
Final Word
“I don’t like my studying less, but I like the sports more“. Today I also manage to remember to thank even the teacher I detested who once protested against my energy in the class. The mess I did was regarded as something distracting to the student’s achievement. She labeled me as a naughty student as well. She was always complaining to my family about the mess I used to cause. For this, I send my message to parents and educators. Let the little boats find their own loved harbors. Where they can feed their passion, whatever was it. And however trivial you think of it. Because for them, it means the world. Doctors or engineers are meant to find their own jobs. But at the end of the day, it’s the joy of choosing the servitude rather than being chosen to it by parents or society.