KABUL - Last 10 years of democratization and rebuilding efforts in Afghanistan not only provided opportunities to women folk play active role in political, social, cultural and economic domain, but also witnessed their significant progress in the field of sports.

Besides many other games, Afghan women are now stunning the rather conservative society with their incredible ability in powerlifting, which has always been considered a game of men in Afghanistan. Currently, around 500 women and girls throughout Afghanistan are undergoing training for this tough sports in eight provinces of the country.

The Director of Afghanistan Powerlifting Federation, Khwaja Farid Ahmed Siddiqi, told UNAMA in an interview that a majority of these female powerlifting athletes are from Kabul, Herat, Kunduz, Dai Kundi, Bamyan, Baghlan and Kapisa provinces.

In December 2012, a team of 18 Afghan powerlifting athletes including two women participated in the first Asian Classic Powerlifting Championships in the Indian city of Coimbatore. The two female athletes, Freshta Hassani and Sadia Ayoubi, won eight gold medals, four each in the Championship.

Mr. Siddiqi said that the Coimbatore sporting event was the first time Afghan female athletes had won so many golds in any international competition since the establishment of the National Olympic Committee of Afghanistan 75 years ago.

Similarly, in an Asian competition held in Kazakhstan in 2011, Afghan female athletes won three gold and two bronze medals. The gold medalists in that competition were Ms. Hassani, Ms. Ayoubi and Zahra Samadi. So far, Afghan female athletes have won a total of 13 medals for Afghanistan, which include 11 gold and 2 bronze medals.

According to Mr. Siddiqi, Afghan female athletes are preparing for forthcoming international competitions in the Philippines, Mongolia and Lithuania.

The head of public relations at the National Olympic Committee, Mr. Arif Paiman said that Afghan Government and the management board of the Olympic Committee were trying hard to ensure all possible support to Afghan athletes, particularly the female athletes.

Sharing similar view, the head of Afghanistan Powerlifting Federation, Mr. Siddiqi said that people’s perception about girls’ participation in sports had positively changed, with growing family support for female athletes.

“Fortunately, sports is getting institutionalized in Afghanistan and social stigma that debarred girls and women from taking part in sports activities has significantly reduced,” said Mr. Siddiqi.

By UNAMA Kabul