KABUL (SW) – With the Islamic Emirate’s rise to power in Afghanistan, the space for women in sports has shrunk phenomenally with many talented sportswomen either fleeing the country or quiting.
Officials at a number of sports clubs in Kabul note a significant reduction in the presence of women in these centers. Parviz Yousefi, the head of a club in Kabul, blames restrictions on the presence of women in sports clubs due to the rules imposed by the Islamic Emirate.
“In the past, women exercised calmly, and there were more of them,” he told Salam Watandar. “But after the rule of the Islamic Emirate, their number has decreased. At the moment, the women and girls are not in high spirits, and due to the restrictions imposed on women, they cannot come and exercise.”
Meanwhile, Zarmina Azizi, the coach of a women’s sports club in Kabul, also told Salam Watandar that with the establishment of the Islamic Emirate, there is significant reduction in the number of female athletes. “Restrictions on women have reduced the number of our students,” she added. “In the past, our female students numbered 80 but now it does not reach 30 people.”
Sahar and Sadaf, two women athletes who used to go to one of the clubs for training during the Republican era, say that they have lost their morale and can not continue their sports activities due to the re-establishment of the Islamic Emirate and the imposition of restrictions. .
“I have not been to the gym for more than a month,” Sahar said. “Because the Islamic Emirate has imposed restrictions, and due to these restrictions and bad conditions, we can not continue our sports activities.”
“No, I’m not going to the club now, the situation is not good,” Sadaf said. “Since the Islamic Emirate came to power again, our minds are not calm and we can not exercise with a peaceful mind.”
However, officials from the General Directorate of Physical Education and Sports say that there are no restrictions on the presence of women and that women can continue their sports activities in accordance with the principles set by the Islamic Emirate.
Dad Mohammad Nawak, head of the media department at the General Directorate of Physical Education and Sports, told Salam Watandar that, contrary to popular belief, after the rule of the Islamic Emirate in Afghanistan, sports activities had not stopped, but flourished.
“We are acting in accordance with the policy of the elders of the Islamic Emirate, and they have said that there will be no obstruction in the sports sector. We reject the allegations that there is a barrier for athletes. The Minister of Enjoining Good also came here to the headquarters of the Olympic Committee and talked to hundreds of athletes and also made it clear that women can play sports, but a suitable environment must be prepared for women.”
ENDS
