IOC hails progress at assembly with Afghan sports activities officers

Sports leaders appointed by the Taliban have promised Olympic officers that Afghanistan will proceed to permit its athletes and groups to compete internationally.
The International Olympic Committee introduced the pledge Thursday after its delegation met in Qatar with leaders of the Afghan General Directorate of Physical Education & Sports. The Qatari capital metropolis of Doha has been a political base for the Taliban, which retook management of Afghanistan in August.
“During the meeting, the Afghan representatives stated that they were strongly committed to following and observing the Olympic Charter,” the IOC mentioned in an announcement.
Hundreds of athletes and sports activities officers, together with many ladies who feared being barred from competing and from reprisals, have left Afghanistan since August. They had been helped by worldwide athlete representatives and sports activities our bodies together with the IOC and FIFA.

Thursday’s final result may imply Afghan athletes will compete on the Beijing Olympics in February.
“Both parties reiterated the fundamental right to access and practice sport safely for all individuals without discrimination,” the IOC mentioned. “Both sides consider the discussions to have been constructive and agreed to continue the dialogue.”
The IOC famous it “continues to recognize the existing National Olympic Committee (NOC) of Afghanistan,” whose elected leaders had been current in Qatar, the place the ruling Emir can be a long-time IOC member.
The Afghan delegation was led by Nazar Mohammad Mutmaeen, the IOC mentioned. He was introduced in September by the Taliban as a member of the interim authorities cabinet.