August 18, (THEWILL) – In another example of the power politics wields over the general well-being of the society and of sports in particular, no sooner had the Taliban taken over in Afghanistan than it became clear that it will no longer participate at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, a participation that was previously guaranteed.
The country was due to be represented by two Taekwondo athletes at the Paralympics in the first time that Taekwondo is taking place at the Paralympics before the Taliban took over with its avowed intentions to form a new government.
An International Paralympic Committee spokesperson conveyed the notion that these two athletes will miss out by announcing: “Regrettably NPC Afghanistan will no longer participate in the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.
“Due to the serious ongoing situation in the country, all airports are closed and there is no way for them to travel to Tokyo. We hope the team and officials remain safe and well during this difficult time.”
Zakia Khudadadi was set to become the country’s first female Paralympian when the taekwondo fighter was named alongside the discus thrower and fellow taekwondo athlete Hossain Rasouli in the nation’s two-athlete team.
Their qualification had led an ecstatic Arian Sadiqi, the Afghan Chef de Mission, to proclaim on Twitter: “It was a dream for NPC Afghanistan to attend the Tokyo 2020 but with this unfortunate circumstances it’s close to impossible.”
Only for the Taliban, an Islamist group which believes in Sharia law and vigorously restricts the freedoms of women, which was removed from power in 2001 to make a successful return with the exit of American forces keeping them at bay.
They see women’s sport as not congruent with Islam and their return to power is likely to be disastrous for women’s sport in Afghanistan.
The country has a history in Paralympics, sending one athlete to the Rio 2016 Games while appearing at each of the last four Summer Games.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
