A total of 17 athletes, including men, are representing the country in volleyball, cycling, and athletics.
Afghanistan’s men and women athletes marched as one team at the opening ceremony of the Asian Games.
Some fled Afghanistan when the Taliban came to power in the wake of the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, fearing persecution from a government that has effectively banned women’s sports. “Nowadays, they are looking for hope,” Mursal Khedri, a Pakistan-based, 24-year-old member of the volleyball team, told Reuters.The Taliban administration says they respect women’s rights in line with their interpretation of Islamic law and Afghan custom and that they have declared a “general amnesty” against their former foes under the previous foreign-backed government.
However, just their mere recognition by the Games is a boost for women in the country, says Khushal Malakzai, the secretary general of the Afghanistan Volleyball Federation. The team’s organiser and fundraising champion, Malakzai has been based in Melbourne, Australia, for just over a year, having first fled to Pakistan after fearing for his safety in Afghanistan.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
HK retain Asian Games men’s rugby sevens titleThe women’s team also won their first Asian Games medal after beating Thailand 7-5.
Read more »
Asian Games: China beat Malaysia for historic esports goldHANGZHOU: Malaysia’s wait for first gold medal at the ongoing Asian Games have been further delayed, as the Arena of Valor esports team could not brea...
Read more »
Cheong Min bags Malaysia’s first silver in the 19th Asian GamesThe 25-year-old’s feat ended the national wushu camp’s 13-year medal drought at the quadrennial event.
Read more »
Asian Games: Wushu exponent Cheong Min bags Malaysia’s first silverHANGZHOU, Sept 26 — Wushu exponent Tan Cheong Min delivered Malaysia’s first silver medal in the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games in the women’s nanquan+nandao event today.This is...
Read more »
Asian Games: Double bronze delight for Malaysia in team sprintsHANGZHOU, Sept 26 — The national track cycling camp bagged two bronze medals in the men’s and women’s team sprint events in the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games at the Chun’an...
Read more »