Afghanistan Olympic Committee optimistic about Tokyo 2020

Afghanistan National Olympic Committee on Saturday expressed its hope for the coming Tokyo Olympics game ahead in July.

“We are working hard to have our talented athletes on the field to once again honor Afghanistan with an Olympic medal,” the committee said in a tweet.

This comes after Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said Friday that the delayed Tokyo Olympics would go ahead in July 2021.

“The Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games will be held this summer,” Suga said in a written statement for the New Year, describing the event as a symbol of world unity.

“We will make steady preparations to realize a safe and secure tournament,” Suga added.

Japan’s Emperor Naruhito appealed to the public to work together through the pandemic in a videotaped New Year’s Day address to the nation released on Friday. Wionews reported.

“I am wishing from my heart that everyone can move forward during this hard time by supporting and helping one another,” he said in the address, which was released in place of an annual public appearance by the imperial family during the New Year holidays.

The event was canceled this year because of the COVID -19 pandemic.