Although many Afghan youth face limited educational opportunities, economic difficulties, and restrictions on employment, 16 young people told Salam Watandar that, despite their failures, limited resources, and a lack of adequate support, they have been able to succeed in sports, medical technology, healthcare, scientific competitions, and entrepreneurship, and proudly raise Afghanistan’s name at the international level.
Among these 16 young people, five are active in sports, two in medical technology, five in entrepreneurship, one in education, one in human rights, and two in writing. In recent years, they have brought significant pride to their country.
Mohammad Yousuf Jahangir, a 28-year-old from Kabul who won the first gold medal in Afghanistan’s history at the Islamic Solidarity Games, says,
“The latest medal I won was at the Islamic Solidarity Games, and it was the first gold medal in the history of Afghan sports. I was happy when I received it. At that moment, my tears came and I cried.”
Omidullah Alizada, an Afghan athlete living in Kenya, despite facing numerous problems, has also won a gold, a silver, and a bronze medal at international competitions in Nepal.
“My most important achievement over the past two years was becoming the Asian champion in May this year. I also became the champion at the Nepal competition. I won three medals: one gold, one silver, and one bronze,” he says.
Afghan youth, besides sports, have also made achievements in science and medical technology, from obtaining the first medical license in Brazil to winning an international artificial intelligence medal. These are among the achievements of young Afghan doctors living abroad.
Faraidon Farzad, a 29-year-old from Ghazni, an artificial intelligence researcher, won a gold medal and a special award at the Archimedes International Invention and Innovation Competition in Russia.
“My most important achievement over the past two years has been winning a gold medal at an international invention festival and recording a scientific achievement in the field of medical technology. This success showed me that with hard work and confidence in our abilities, we can achieve success at the international level and make Afghanistan proud,” he says.
Amanullah Darman, another 34-year-old from Ghazni and a researcher in cancer and artificial intelligence, was named one of Brazil’s top 10 specialists last year. He is also known as the first Afghan doctor to obtain a medical license in Brazil.
“As far as I know, I am the first Afghan doctor to obtain a medical license in Brazil. I also published the first comparative study on breast cancer patterns in Afghanistan and Brazil, and two other scientific papers of mine have been published in the fields of cancer and artificial intelligence,” he says.
Among these youth is Rashid, a 19-year-old from Parwan, who achieved a full score of 360 on this year’s Kankor examination and got the first position. His achievement is considered unprecedented in Afghanistan’s Kankor examination in recent years.
“To achieve any goal, we need to follow certain steps. I considered these steps while preparing for the Kankor. First, I set a goal. Second, I chose the best teachers, who guided me and showed me how to move forward,” he says.
A generation that turned challenges into opportunities
Alongside their achievements in science and sports, a number of Afghan youth have created new paths to success by launching innovative businesses.
Swita Mohammadi, a 26-year-old from Kabul and one of the winners of the 2025 Entrepreneurship Competition, says that despite a lack of family support, limited funding, and facilities, she was able to put her mushroom-growing idea into practice.
“My most important achievement over the past four months was being named one of the winners of the 2025 Entrepreneurship Competition. My proposal was for mushroom cultivation. I wanted to put my idea into practice, but I did not have the funds. Fortunately, once I gained access to the facilities, I was able to put it into practice,” she says.
On their way to success, these youth faced challenges including a shortage of facilities, economic constraints, a lack of support, and difficulties accessing educational and vocational opportunities.
Samiullah Hamidi, a 26-year-old from Kunduz who won a medal at an international Olympic competition after defeating athletes from 20 countries, says,
“Shortage of facilities, financial difficulties, restrictions on practice, and the difficulties of everyday life were my main challenges. But by relying on God, working hard, maintaining discipline, and receiving support from my family and coaches, I was able to overcome these obstacles and make every effort to achieve my goals.”
Marhamat, another 19-year-old entrepreneur from Kabul, has built a brand for women despite facing numerous challenges.
“I know that the road to entrepreneurship is not easy. There are always challenges, such as economic concerns. Sometimes nothing goes according to plan. Instead of giving up, I turned every obstacle into a lesson,” she says.
A future built on youth talent
Meanwhile, sociologists say the success of Afghan youth in various fields demonstrates the great potential of Afghanistan’s younger generation. However, they say that creating educational opportunities, supporting innovation, and providing employment opportunities are essential to helping youth show more of their potential. Mohammad Sharif Haidari, a sociologist, says,
“This success is not merely a personal achievement; it is also a social phenomenon that has an impact beyond the individual. These achievements can become role models for others, and these individuals can serve as references for other youth.”
Officials at Afghanistan’s General Directorate of the Olympic Committee, Physical Education and Sports say medal-winning athletes receive both financial and moral appreciation after returning to the country. They also say athletes are provided with opportunities to practice and the necessary facilities before being sent to competitions abroad. Mohammad Atal Mashwani, a spokesperson for the directorate, says,
“At present, foreign funding for most of our sports federations, which was provided by international sports organizations, has been cut off. As a result, there are financial difficulties in some areas. However, we are still trying in many ways, including through private-sector support and domestic funding, to meet these needs as much as possible and provide athletes with opportunities to participate in foreign competitions.”
Officials at the Ministry of Public Health of the Islamic Emirate also say the ministry is using the expertise of Afghan specialists living abroad. They say that, through a specific mechanism, the ministry has created opportunities for these specialists to take part in short-term training and medical programs, allowing them to share their experience and knowledge with healthcare workers inside the country.
Sharafat Zaman Amarkhil, a spokesperson for the ministry, says, “Around 150,000 specialists who had studied in other countries have returned to Afghanistan and begun providing their services. Some are actively working in several areas, particularly in the field of cancer. To retain, encourage, and expand the services of specialists based in Kabul, we have introduced special incentives for them.”
The experiences and achievements of these youth show that success does not depend solely on available facilities. Determination, hard work, and hope can also pave the way to success. Their achievements go beyond individual success, presenting an image of the potential of Afghanistan’s younger generation to build a brighter future.
Reporter: Zarafshan Sharifi
