GAZA, March 20, 2004 (WAFA) -Only a few meters away from the Gush Gatif Israeli Colony in Central Gaza Strip, Sana' Abu Bkheit leaves her house early everyday to jog in the streets of the Deir al-Balah refugee camp.... Sana' is a 19- year-old Palestinian girl who runs everyday in order to prepare for the next International Olympic Games, hoping to be the first Palestinian female runner to represent her country.... Sana' was actually accepted to participate at the Olympic Games due to be held next August in Athena in the 800 meters competition, and has already proved herself as a professional athlete female during Asian Championship held last month in Teheran.... The young Palestinian female runner had scored 2minutes and 28 seconds in theAsian Championship as well as the Arab Championship held last year in Cairo and earned the title of best Palestinian female athlete.... She, however, lives in a modest home in Deir al-Balah refugee camp with a sick father who constantly dreams about his daughter breaking record in running despite their economic and social hardships.... Since she was nominated by the Palestinian Athletic Union to represent Palestine at the forthcoming Olympic Games, Sana' would be the second Palestinian to represent her country in an International Championship, after Majed Abu Mrehel who had participated at the Atlanta Olympic Games. "I've always dreamt of raiding the flag of Palestine and to be the first Palestinian woman to represent her country in an International Championship, and I also dreamt about earning a gold medal," Sana' said while wiping her forehead from sweat after her morning jogging.... She added that one of her role models is Maria Mattola, the Mozambique female runner who had won a gold medal during the latest Olympic Games held in Atlanta.... Sana' also speaks with pride about the numerous medals she had received in local and Arab championships, where she puts them in the living room of her small and humble house.... However, Sana' said that the Palestinian Territories lack sports' clubs and stadiums as well as the necessary equipment and programs for physical exercise, fearing that this lack increases the gap between her athletic level and her International counterparts.... "I'm going there to prove that the Palestinian people can make achievements on the International level in spite of the occupation's daily aggressions and sufferings, and I hope I will be lucky," she said with a confident smile.... She added that the one of the major obstacles facing her are the continuous Israeli Occupation Forces shooting and shelling at nights, due to which she cannot enjoy good night sleep.... "When I exercise everyday, I'm constantly scared about being shot at from the nearby Israeli Colony, I always hear gun shots and I try to be careful as much as possible, especially when I jog near the sea," Sana' said.... Sana' is also forced to leave the refugee camp in case of Israeli Army incursions and raids in order to exercise elsewhere, but still, there are no stadiums where she can exercise.... "Sometimes I go to run in open areas that are usually sandy and rocky, and I try to run for two whole hours, but these areas are full of rocks and debris from crashed cars and it hurts my feet...." Nevertheless, these daily sufferings and obstacles do not seem to get in her way, saying that she is prepared to do anything in order to realize her dream and present a reward to her people and especially her father.... Samir Al-Nabaheen, Sana's trainer, described her efforts as "drilling into rocks," but added that her belief in her capabilities and herself confidence would make her try harder until attaining her goals.... "Even if the Palestinian Territories lack the stadiums that are constructed according to the International standards, determination and strong will can surpas all obstacles," Nabaheen said.... --