Sport
Asian Games open in Japan as Afghanistan sends 34 athletes
The Afghan delegation includes competitors in wushu, boxing, cricket and other disciplines, with athletes set to face strong competition from across the continent.
The 20th Asian Games officially opened in Nagoya, Japan, on Saturday, bringing together more than 11,000 athletes from 45 countries and regions for Asia’s biggest multi-sport event.
Japan’s Emperor Naruhito formally declared the Games open during a colourful ceremony at Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium. Empress Masako, International Olympic Committee President Kirsty Coventry and Olympic Council of Asia President Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani were among the dignitaries attending.
Held under the theme “Harmonic Heart Beat,” the opening ceremony featured Japanese cultural performances, music, technology displays and fireworks before athletes entered the stadium for the traditional parade of nations.
The Aichi-Nagoya Games run from September 19 to October 4, with athletes competing in 43 sports and 469 medal events. Some competitions began before the opening ceremony, including football and basketball, because of the packed schedule.
Afghanistan sends 34 athletes
Afghanistan is represented by 34 athletes competing across nine sports at the Games.
The Afghan delegation includes competitors in wushu, boxing, cricket and other disciplines, with athletes set to face strong competition from across the continent.
Four Afghan wushu athletes — Mohammad Jafar Soltani, Shahzada Safi, Mohammad Khalid Hotak and Hamid Ashrafi — are scheduled to begin their campaigns on Sunday.
Afghanistan will also compete in cricket, with the Afghanistan Cricket Board selecting a 15-member squad for the men’s tournament. Darwish Rasooli will captain the side, with experienced players including Najibullah Zadran and Karim Janat included in the squad.
The cricket tournament is scheduled to take place from September 24 to October 3, giving Afghanistan’s emerging players another opportunity to compete on a major international stage.
For Japan, the Games mark the country’s return to hosting a major multi-sport event with spectators following the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, which were held largely without fans because of COVID-19 restrictions.
The Nagoya Games have nevertheless faced logistical challenges during their preparation. Organisers decided against building a traditional athletes’ village, instead housing competitors in hotels, temporary accommodation and a cruise ship. Some delegations have reported difficulties involving accommodation, transportation and registration.
Despite the problems, the opening ceremony provided a colourful start to the competition, with organisers highlighting the role of sport in bringing people together.
OCA President Sheikh Joaan said athletes from across Asia demonstrated how sport could help bridge divisions around the world.
“While the world is too often divided by conflict, they [the Asiad athletes] remind us that sport remains a powerful force for peace, understanding and friendship among nations,” he said.
Competition will continue across Japan until October 4, when the 20th Asian Games will conclude after 16 days of sporting action.
Sport
Arman FC secure 3-1 victory over Sarsabz Yashlar in ACL
Arman FC will face Toofan Herat in their next fixture on November 7, while Sarsabz Yashlar are scheduled to take on Sorkh Poshan Khafi on the same day.
Arman FC defeated Sarsabz Yashlar 3-1 in the 70th match of the sixth season of Afghanistan Champions League Roshan on Tuesday at the Afghanistan Football Federation Stadium.
Sarsabz Yashlar took the lead in the 17th minute, but Arman FC equalized through Fardin Azizi in the closing stages of the first half to make it 1-1 at the break.
Arman FC took the lead in the second half when Malcolm Isaiah Shaw scored directly from a long-range free kick in the 65th minute.
Shaw added his second goal of the match in the 80th minute, extending Arman FC’s lead to 3-1 and securing all three points for his side.
Shaw was named Man of the Match for his two-goal performance.
Arman FC will face Toofan Herat in their next fixture on November 7, while Sarsabz Yashlar are scheduled to take on Sorkh Poshan Khafi on the same day.
All matches of the sixth season of the Roshan Afghan Champions League are broadcast live on Ariana Television.
Sport
Afghanistan futsal team thrash Panama 5-0 in flying start to Dakar Youth Olympics
Under the Dakar 2026 men’s futsal format, eight teams are divided into two groups of four, with the top two teams from each group progressing to the knockout stage.
Afghanistan got their men’s futsal campaign at the Dakar 2026 Summer Youth Olympic Games off to a flying start, defeating Panama 5-0 in their opening Group A match on Monday, November 2.
The Afghan side delivered an impressive performance, scoring twice in the first half and adding three more goals after the break to complete a convincing five-goal victory.
Reza Karimi, Hussain Hassani, Mohammad Akbari, Farhad Nazari and Ali Ahmadi were all on target, with each player scoring once.
Hassani and Zakir Hussain Abdullahi registered two assists, and Akbari registered one.
The emphatic result gives Afghanistan three valuable points and an excellent start to their bid for a place in the semi-finals.
Under the Dakar 2026 men’s futsal format, eight teams are divided into two groups of four, with the top two teams from each group progressing to the knockout stage.
Afghanistan will next face Argentina on November 4 before concluding their Group A campaign against Senegal on November 7.
The five-goal victory provides an early boost for Afghanistan as they look to progress through the group stage and challenge for a medal at the Youth Olympic Games.
Fans can meanwhile tune in and watch the Dakar Youth Olympic Games exclusively on Ariana Radio and Television Network.
Sport
Afghanistan achieve their highest ICC Men’s ODI team ranking
They have won 96 of their 191 matches in the ODI format with an impressive win-loss ratio of 1.09.
Afghanistan have climbed to the sixth spot in the ICC Men’s ODI Team Rankings, surpassing Sri Lanka to secure their highest-ever position.
Since making their ODI debut in 2009, Afghanistan have been ever-rising across formats, with historic feats such as wins over Pakistan and Sri Lanka in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in 2023 and a maiden ICC Men’s T20 World Cup semi-final appearance in 2024.
They have won 96 of their 191 matches in the ODI format with an impressive win-loss ratio of 1.09.
Afghanistan were already above experienced teams like Bangladesh, England and West Indies, and have now also overtaken Sri Lanka to achieve their highest-ever position in the Men’s ODI Team Rankings.
Their recent successes include a 4-0 series win over Ireland away from home and an unbeaten run in the recently concluded tri-series against Zimbabwe and Bangladesh.
They recently clean swept Zimbabwe in the T20I format as well, and are now all set to face Zimbabwe in a two-match Test series.
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