With the Taliban in control in Afghanistan, it will result in social and political impacts, especially on women’s rights and security, know the full story of the 2021 crisis explained
In the militants previous rule from 1996-2001, Girls were deprived of basic rights like education. Women were not allowed to work and could only go out when accompanied by a male guardian.
Afghanistan Crisis Explained 2021: What Happens To Sports Now That Taliban Is In Control
The recent change of power will eventually result in the return of atrocities related to sports,
• Blood-soaked Stadium – Kabul’s Ghazi Stadium was used for the executions, stoning, and mutilations carried out there by the Taliban.
• Silent Spectators – Even applauding at a sports match was banned in Afghanistan, where the hardline Taliban militia had enforced their brutal vision of Islamic law.
• Ban on entertainment – Afghans couldn’t even watch their favourite teams on television. Television was not allowed but the use of radio was permitted.
• Strict Dress Codes – Men were permitted to compete only if they were dressed properly. For example, soccer players were supposed to wear long-sleeve shirts, long shorts, and high socks that covered their bare skin.
Sport Takes Back Seat in Afghanistan Now
Sport is now the least important thing, as lives are at stake. With safety being the top right priority of Afghan women including those who play sports.
After the Fall of the Taliban, Sports Flourished
• As the national men’s cricket team was formed in 2001, it emerged as the most popular sport in the war-ravaged country.
• Afghanistan’s first women Olympians competed in 2004 Athens Summer Olympics.
• Afghanistan saw its first Olympic medalist in Rohullah Nikpai when he won a bronze medal in taekwondo at the 2008 Beijing Games.
• In 2011, Afghanistan’s Women’s National Football team was founded.
• Progress was made in the Olympics and the Paralympics in recent years which saw an increasing number of Afghan participants than before.
Dreams and Hopes of Afghanistan Women’s Football Team Now Fading
Khalida Popal, former captain of the Afghanistan women’s football team who had fled Afghanistan and sought asylum five years ago in Denmark, had worked to raise the visibility of Afghan women players, has now urged them to delete their social media, burn their kits and erase public identities for their own safety as Taliban has taken over the country.
Afghanistan's former women's soccer captain Khalida Popal told @Reuters she has urged players to delete their social media accounts, erase public identities and burn their kits for safety's sake after the Taliban seized control of the country https://t.co/VqlioYGGt0 pic.twitter.com/MZ0Ziyzna8
— Reuters (@Reuters) August 19, 2021
Local Football federations officials fear for their lives over promoting women’s football. FIFA has been monitoring the situation closely and is willing to offer support to Afghanistan Football Federation and other stakeholders.
Future of Women’s Cricket in Afghanistan, the Full Story
Unlike their male counterparts, it has been quite difficult for the women cricketers in Afghanistan.
For the first time, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) awarded central contracts to 25 women players in November 2020. With the resurgence of the Taliban, the Afghanistan Women Cricket team’s future now remains uncertain.
Been thinking of this photo of the Afghanistan women cricketers from last year.
In November the Afghanistan Cricket Board pledged to award central contracts to 25 female cricketers. A skills-and-fitness camp was organised in Kabul; a women's national team was to be formed. pic.twitter.com/gyKPFYjZR8
— Annesha Ghosh (@ghosh_annesha) August 16, 2021
Men’s Cricket – Taliban Won’t Interfere
Due to the rising popularity of cricket in Afghanistan the CEO of ACB, Hamid Shinwari doesn’t see any future interference from the Taliban. And says that the cricket events are expected to be on schedule. Though he mentions that the future of the women’s team remains uncertain.
Hikmat Hassan, media manager for the Afghanistan cricket team said the team should be able to participate in the upcoming T20 World Cup, which is being held in the United Arab Emirates between October and November.
Afghanistan vs Pakistan Cricket ODI Series Postponed
The Afghanistan-Pakistan three-match ODI series which was scheduled to be held in Sri Lanka from 3rd September has been postponed.
The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) faced logistical challenges to send their team to Sri Lanka. Due to the current situation, no commercial flights are operating from Kabul.
PCB has accepted ACB's request to postpone next month’s ODI series due to players’ mental health issues, disruption in flight operations in Kabul, lack of broadcast facilities and increased Covid-19 cases in Sri Lanka. Both boards will try to reschedule the series in 2022.
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) August 23, 2021
Afghanistan Cricket Crisis Explained: Afghan Players in IPL 2021
As Mohammad Nabi, Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Rashid Khan play for Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL, their availability for the Phase 2 of IPL 2021 in UAE was uncertain for a while as the situation unfolded back in their homeland.
The BCCI keeping an eye on the developments stated, “It is too early to comment but we are keeping a watch. For us, nothing changes and we expect Rashid and other Afghan players would be part of IPL,” a BCCI source told PTI.
The Sunrisers Hyderabad has confirmed that the Afghanistan players will be available for the UAE leg of IPL 2021, which starts on September 19.
As the CEO of Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), K Shanmugam told ANI, “We haven’t spoken on what is happening at present, but they are available for the tournament.”
Afghanistan’s Star Cricketers Rashid Khan and Mohammed Nabi Have Urged for Peace
Dear World Leaders! My country is in chaos,thousand of innocent people, including children & women, get martyred everyday, houses & properties being destructed.Thousand families displaced..
Don’t leave us in chaos. Stop killing Afghans & destroying Afghaniatan🇦🇫.
We want peace.🙏— Rashid Khan (@rashidkhan_19) August 10, 2021
future, as their homes are being seized. I appeal to the leaders of the world; please don't let Afghanistan go into chaos. We need your Support. We want Peace.#PeaceforAfghanistan #FreedomforAfghanistan #StopKillingAfghans
— Mohammad Nabi (@MohammadNabi007) August 10, 2021
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