Taliban bars women from certain sports in new diktat

Kabul: Afghan women athletes have been barred from certain sports activities by the Taliban who said they would allow women’s sports based on "Islamic values and culture", media reported.

Tahira Sultani, a coach of Taekwondo and mountaineering sports, who has bagged several awards at national and international level, said, "Since the Taliban came to power, I was not allowed to exercise. I referred to many sport clubs for training. But, unfortunately, they said that the women’s section is closed."

However, the Taliban has said the women would be allowed to participate in sports based on Islamic values and Afghan culture, TOLOnews said in a report.

"We will pursue the policy of the Islamic Emirate in all aspects. Whatever is allowed in our culture and tradition, we will allow it," said Dad Mohmmad Nawa, Taliban-appointed spokesman for Physical Education and National Olympic Committee.

However, women have access to only some types of sports, such as fitness.

Hafizullah Abasi, head of a sports club said, "They (Islamic Emirate) don’t allow athletic sports (for women), although the women’s section was separated in the past and it is separated now too. The coach is also a woman not a man. But let (women) be allowed to do their exercises."

However, Khatira Sapai, a fitness coach in the capital city, said, "Our classes are on a normal level. We perform our exercises. Women participate and there is no ban. I train two classes during the day."

The ban is also facing criticism by international humanitarian organisations.

"According to Human Rights Watch, there have been a number of concerning reports, including: Taliban bans on women’s sports, limited women’s access to health care due to Taliban rules requiring women to be chaperoned by a man, suspension of international aid," Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) said earlier in a series of tweets. (UNI)