- Bachar Houli will return to the football fields
- Richmond hero nearly killed in car crash
- He will represent a local football club.
Bachar Houli will return to football just over a year after narrowly escaping death following a horrific car accident.
The three-time premiership player was airlifted to hospital and spent weeks in care with serious injuries when a ute he was traveling in overturned during a camping trip in Canberra.
Houli underwent surgery in a Melbourne hospital after suffering a broken pelvis and stayed out of the spotlight during his recovery.
But now the 232-game champion will return to the football field with local Victorian club Newport in the Western Football Netball League.
“We are very excited to announce that Bachar Houli will play for Newport in 2025,” the club said in an Instagram post.
‘A local man, a great man, an icon of the game. We can’t wait to see it in maroon, black and gold in 2025.”
When the accident happened, then Tigers chief executive Brendon Gale said the premiership hero was “pretty unwell” and was at the start of a long journey to recovery.
Houli’s brother-in-law Khaled was also injured in the accident.
Bachar Houli to make miraculous return to the football field with local Victorian club
The Richmond hero suffered a life-threatening car accident while on a camping holiday.
Two weeks after the accident, Houli shared a video message expressing her relief that her injuries were not fatal.
‘I hope everyone is having a fantastic day. I just wanted to share this short message as a form of gratitude,” said Houli, a father of three.
‘I just wanted to show my gratitude for all those thoughtful people who have asked me about my progress. I had a successful operation on my pelvis, which had quite a bit of damage. Obviously that is already solved.
Houli, a devout Muslim, took a glass-half-full stance toward his serious accident.
“The fact that I can breathe again, that I have another chance at life that the Almighty has given me,” he said.
Because it could very well have been much worse.
‘He really tests those he loves. I understand it in the sense that the Almighty loves me and has put me through this trial. And there is wisdom behind this.
‘Someone who truly loves Allah, the only one, someone who is faithful, and Allah tests him, wants to see how he responds.
‘Allah wants to see that even in difficult times, are you still grateful? By Allah, I am very grateful. By Allah, I am very, very grateful.”