Since arriving in Launceston under the humanitarian visa program in 2014, sixteen-year-old Abbas has discovered a hidden talent for athletics and is able to dream for his future.

He never thought he would have such opportunity as living in Tasmania has given him.

Born in Pakistan to Hazara Afghan parents, Abbas knows things don’t always come easy in life.

His parents both fled Afghanistan due to persecution of Hazara ethnics. Abbas grew up in Mariabad, Quetta - a haven for Hazara people in Pakistan.

“Mariabad was surrounded by Pashtun people, and Hazara people were unable to go out of their city,” Abbas said.

“To go out of that area for finding food for going to work, it was less likely they could return to home safely, because being Hazara is like a crime in Afghanistan and Pakistan.”

Abbas’ life in Pakistan is worlds away from the life he lives in Tasmania, where he is discovering and developing his passions.

“When I was there (in Pakistan) we never expected one day we will come to Australia and [be] leading our life in happiness,” Abbas said.

“I never had hope for a life, to dream of going to school or doing sport.

“[In Pakistan] I was going to school 3 hours [a day] and the rest of them I was working with Dad.

“We were washing the carpets of people in their houses, and cleaning their houses.

“I was getting paid but I was giving all the money to my parents so they could use [it].”

With bright eyes and an infectious smile, Abbas talks animatedly about his new-found passion - running.

When he came to Launceston, Abbas finally had the chance to pursue sport. He joined soccer and taekwondo, developing his skills.

But the real breakthrough in his running career came with the compulsory school cross country.

Abbas didn’t even want to compete in the cross country, his friends and teachers encouraged him to run.

“I ran 2.5 kilometres, I was feeling tired and breathing heavily the whole way after 400 metres, but the thing is I didn't give up,” Abbas said.

Abbas kept pace with the leader in the field, and came in second, qualifying for the inter-schools cross country.

“The whole way of running (in the cross country) there was a guy in front of me, I was pacing him and I kept saying to myself, ‘We all have got the same abilities, we have the same legs, there is no difference between him and me’.

Despite his lack of enthusiasm for running, and only going for two runs in the fortnight leading to the event, Abbas went on to compete in the inter-school cross country. He came in first. 

“It was a great shock to me and I was bursting with pride because for the first ever time I was awarded a gold medal in front of the people, a lot of people like 700 people,” he said. 

Since then, at the suggestion of community member Robyn Flittner, Abbas started participating in Park Run. 

“I gradually started running in Park Run and when I was running I was getting tired too easily and I was stopping for a moment, which was very funny and my Dad was laughing at me when I was getting passed by the people that were younger than me,” Abbas jokes. 

He now has a goal to run the 5 kilometres in under 15 minutes in the next two years. 

As his running talent became apparent, Abbas received a letter from the Tasmanian Institute of sport suggesting he get a coach. 

In a new country, with parents still learning the language, Abbas turned to his school librarian, Marlena Knight, for help. 

Mrs Knight has played a pivotal role in Abbas’ unfolding running career. She arranged for him to be coached by Wenonah Sharman and attending running events with him, arranging entries and registrations and providing and emergency contact as Abbas’ parents don’t speak english. 

Abbas said Mrs Knight and her husband are like “parents who have always been here for me”.

Most recently, Abbas has been training in steeplechase and has qualified for the Nationals in Sydney in March. 

Abbas is hoping to get sponsorship to attend the event, as it is beyond the means of his family to cover the cost of getting there and participating. 

Late in 2016, he was unable to attend a national steeplechase meet he qualified for. 

“My family couldn't afford the cost ... it was very expensive and my parents found it difficult and therefore I didn’t compete,” he said. 

But Abbas’ dreams don’t focus solely around running. There is one dream he’s harboured since Pakistan – to be a police officer. 

Abbas hopes one day to be a part time athlete and a policeman. 

“When I was in Pakistan education over there is not very good, if you have a good financial income you can go to private school to become whatever you want, but I was going to a simple school.

“I was always dreaming to be a police officer … and I am still dreaming about being a police officer one day in Australia.”

Whatever he ends up doing, there seems little doubt Abbas will succeed. 

“You've got to do the hard stuff so you can be the champion for the rest of your life,” he said.