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Taekwondo federation to appeal COVID-related Olympic disqualification

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Afghanistan’s Taekwondo Federation said that it hopes the country still has a chance to participate in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games despite having missed out on qualifying last week in Jordan.

Federation head, Najibullah Sikandari stated that Afghanistan would submit an appeal to the International Taekwondo Federation (ITF) on their disqualification ruling.

According to Sikandari, Afghanistan could send a team to the Olympics if the ITF grants the country a White Card after the national team missed the 2021 Asian Taekwondo Olympic Qualification Tournament for the Tokyo Olympic Games.

The team was forced to pull out after three members tested positive for COVID-19.

According to protocol, when 50 percent of a team tests positive for COVID-19 all team members are disqualified.

Sikandari, however, stated: “No one or organization including the General Directorate of Physical Education and Sports, the National Olympic Committee, and the National Taekwondo Federation can be blamed for 50 percent of the team testing positive.”

He added that the Afghan athletes have been practicing under strict COVID-19 safety and hygiene regulations over the past few months in order to participate at the Olympics.

Farzad Mansoori, a member of the team who missed qualifications, said he hopes the team will be given a waiver and be allowed to take part at the Games.

The Taekwondo Federation – which has gained three Olympic medals so far – is one of the most popular and promising sports federations in Afghanistan.

The Afghan National Para-Taekwondo Team meanwhile also took part in last week’s qualifiers but failed to qualify for the Tokyo Games.

However, three team members won bronze medals in their categories.

Zakia Khodadadi, a female member of the team, in the 43kg weight category; Zabihullah Haidary, in the 44kg weight category; and Matin Hotak in the 43kg weight category all won bronze medals.

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Civil war devastated Afghans more than the Soviet invasion, says Fitrat

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The civil war inflicted greater harm on the people of Afghanistan than the Soviet invasion, Fasihuddin Fitrat, Chief of the Army Staff of the Islamic Emirate, said on Monday

“The Soviet Red Army invasion did not make the Afghan people as miserable as the civil wars and power struggles made,” he said at a ceremony marking the 33rd anniversary of the mujahideen’s victory against the former Soviet-backed regime.

Fitrat warned that if someone is thinking of occupying Afghanistan using those who have fled the country, the Afghan people are ready to fight against them even if takes thousands of years.

“No matter how they impose war on the people of Afghanistan, the people have the courage and heroism,” he said. “Their honor will never allow them to be controlled by someone else. They will fight against them. They have fought for four and a half decades and are ready to fight for thousands more. If anyone thinks of occupying our country, they will fight against them.”

Acting Minister of Borders and Tribal Affairs, Alhaji Mullah Noorullah Noori also stressed that Afghanistan will soon will compete with other countries in political, economic and security sectors.

“The day will come when Afghanistan will compete with the world’s major countries in every field, politically, economically, security,” he said.

Acting Minister of Information and Culture Khairullah Khairkhwa called on the officials of the Islamic Emirate to refrain from “power worship,” warning that it would lead to the collapse of the government.

“If, God forbid, we revive the past and there is power worship here again and we try to increase our influence, the regime will collapse and the people will become divided,” he said.

At the ceremony, the Chief of Staff of Army also stressed the dignified return of refugees from neighboring countries, adding that humiliating them is unacceptable for the Islamic Emirate.

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Qatar’s Prime Minister meets with Afghanistan’s foreign minister

According to Gulf Times, the two officials reviewed the latest developments in Afghanistan and discussed ways to support the Afghan people.

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Qatar’s Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani met with Afghanistan’s Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs Amir Khan Muttaqi who is currently visiting the country.

According to Gulf Times, the two officials reviewed the latest developments in Afghanistan and discussed ways to support the Afghan people.

Al-Thani emphasized the State of Qatar’s unwavering support for all segments of the Afghan people and its continued efforts to achieve security, stability, prosperity, and a dignified life in Afghanistan.

A source told Ariana News that Muttaqi arrived in Qatar on Sunday. No further details on his trip were given.

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WFP air services in Afghanistan may be suspended due to funding crisis

According to WFP, the organization urgently needs $10.5 million in funding to continue its relief flights in 2025.

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The UN’s World Food Program (WFP) in Afghanistan has announced the possible suspension of its air services in the country due to a severe shortage of funding.

WFP is one of the largest humanitarian organizations in Afghanistan and the air services have played a vital role in transporting humanitarian aid, especially to areas difficult to reach by land.

In a message posted on X, the WFP explained that in the past, when roads were blocked, air services were the only way to deliver aid to remote areas of Afghanistan. This aid included food, medicine, and other essential items that are essential for the survival of millions of people in need in Afghanistan.

According to WFP, the organization urgently needs $10.5 million in funding to continue its relief flights in 2025.

In addition, the WFP stated that humanitarian needs in Afghanistan continue to increase and  millions of people across the country are dependent on humanitarian assistance.

WFP stated that if air services are stopped, it will become very difficult, if not impossible, to deliver vital aid to areas that are not accessible by road.

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