Sport
IEA bans Mixed Martial Arts in Afghanistan
The directorate said in a statement that concerns had been raised in the past that the sport was not compliant with Sharia law.
The General Directorate of Physical Education and Sport of Afghanistan on Thursday announced that Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fights in Afghanistan have been banned.
The directorate said in a statement that concerns had been raised in the past that the sport was not compliant with Sharia law.
“After comprehensive investigations, it was found that free fighting sports have problems from the Sharia point of view, and most of its elements are in conflict with the teachings of the Islamic religion, and for this reason, the sport of free fighting (MMA) has no right to operate in Afghanistan and is prohibited,” read the statement.
There have been rumors circulating on social media in recent weeks indicating that all combat sports, such as MMA, judo, karate, boxing, taekwondo and others will be banned.
However, these reports have not been confirmed – except for Thursday’s announcement on the MMA ban.