84 Afghan athletes taking part in this year’s Asian Games
The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s general directorate of physical education and sport said Sunday 84 athletes from Afghanistan are taking part in this year’s Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.
The dazzling opening ceremony was held on Saturday. Athletes from 45 Asian countries are taking part.
According to the directorate 84 athletes plus representatives of the Afghanistan National Olympic Committee were also at the ceremony.
The general directorate of physical education and sport said Afghan athletes will be competing in 15 different sports.
In a new development, Esports will make its debut as an official medal event at this year’s Asian Games, with seven gold medals to be awarded across seven game titles: Arena of Valor (Asian Games Version), DOTA 2, Dream of Three Kingdoms 2, League of Legends, Peace Elite (Asian Games Version), Street Fighter V: Champion Edition, and EA Sports FC Online.
Esports kicks off its first competitions on Sunday, September 24 with EA Sports FC Online and Arena of Valor (Asian Games Version) to be the inaugural titles of this historic event.
A total of 476 athletes from 30 National Olympic Committees will compete over nine days, involving 219 matches, with 21 medals to be awarded.
The official draws were conducted for all seven game titles, with Asian Electronic Sports Federation Vice President Lokesh Suji, Sebastian Lau, and the Esports Technical Delegate Steve Kim taking turns drawing countries and regions from the pool.
Esports was a demonstration sport at the 18th Asian Games in Indonesia in 2018 and will be a full medal sport for the first time in Hangzhou, where games will be played at the China Hangzhou Esports Centre.
The first medal will be presented on Tuesday, September 26 and then there will be one gold medal on offer for the following six days through to Monday, October 2.
Esports has already been confirmed in the programme for the 20th Asian Games in Aichi/Nagoya in 2026.
A Kazakh delegation led by the Deputy Minister of Finance of Kazakhstan met with Sediqullah Khalid, First Deputy Governor of Da Afghanistan Bank, to discuss ways of strengthening banking and economic cooperation between the two countries.
According to a statement issued by Da Afghanistan Bank, Khalid said the central bank is keen to establish regular and effective banking relations with Kazakhstan as part of broader efforts to expand bilateral trade.
He noted that enhanced banking cooperation would help facilitate trade, investment, and wider economic interaction between Afghanistan and Kazakhstan, while also contributing to financial stability at the regional level.
Members of the Kazakh delegation also emphasized the importance of developing banking and economic ties and expressed their readiness to expand joint cooperation.
The two sides further agreed to establish technical committees from both countries to hold expert-level discussions and advance practical steps for cooperation.
Business
Afghanistan, Kazakhstan envoys discuss expanding trade and regional connectivity
Ambassador Shakeeb thanked Kazakhstan for its continued support and constructive engagement with Afghanistan, particularly in efforts aimed at peace and economic development.
Afghanistan’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Sardar Ahmad Shakeeb, has met with Kazakhstan’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Yerzhan Kistafin, to explore ways to strengthen bilateral relations and advance regional cooperation.
The two envoys exchanged views on Afghanistan–Kazakhstan ties, regional connectivity, and major infrastructure initiatives, as well as the opportunities and challenges facing regional trade. Discussions also touched on Kazakhstan’s role in promoting regional stability and other matters of mutual interest.
Ambassador Shakeeb thanked Kazakhstan for its continued support and constructive engagement with Afghanistan, particularly in efforts aimed at peace and economic development.
He expressed hope that the proposed $3 billion joint trade agreement, once finalized, would bring tangible benefits to both countries and contribute to broader regional economic integration.
Ambassador Kistafin reaffirmed Kazakhstan’s support for stability and economic growth in Afghanistan, highlighting his country’s involvement in key regional connectivity and trade projects.
He said the current security and stability situation in Afghanistan has increased Kazakhstan’s confidence in expanding regional trade and transit, and praised the efforts of the Islamic Emirate in this regard.
He also stressed the need for coordinated regional efforts to ensure lasting stability, sustainable economic development, and the smooth movement of goods and transit across the region.
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