Two of the largest sporting organizations in the world are taking a wait and see approach following the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan while the youngest IOC member calls for help in getting Afghanistan national female athletes, coaches and their entourages safely out of her country “before it is too late”.
The International Olympic Committee, in a statement to Around the Rings, said “The IOC is monitoring the situation and is in contact with the sport community in Afghanistan. At the same time, we have forwarded relevant information to a number of responsible governments. For obvious reasons of security of concerned people, we would not comment further at this stage.”
A senior official with FIFA, the governing body for world soccer, told ATR “We are in contact with the federation and we will see in the coming weeks and months how the situation develops. We have now spoken with the general secretary. For the moment they are staying at home.”
Samira Asghari, 27, IOC member in Afghanistan, is taking a hands-on approach on social media.
She included the Twitter handles of the USA charges d’affaires in Afghanistan, USA 3x3 basketball and the USOPC in her tweet, saying “Please do something before it is too late”.
There is reason for concern, especially for women’s sports. When the Taliban was previously in power from 1996 to 2001, women were not allowed to participate in sports and faced violent and sometimes fatal consequences if they did. The IOC banned Afghanistan from the Sydney Olympics in 2000 for discriminating against women.
Men’s sports, while allowed, took a backseat as the Taliban did not support organized sports.
Soccer and cricket are considered the most popular sports in Afghanistan. The country’s national cricket team is due to play a three-game series of Twenty20 matches against Pakistan in Sri Lanka from September 1.
A Sri Lankan cricket official said that due to Covid-19 precautions, the two teams should be arriving in Sri Lanka by next week, according to AFP.
In October, Afghanistan is scheduled to play in the T20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates.
Homepage photo of Samira Asghari: ATR
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