Ghor Football Federation Chief Gifts Weapon to Local Wrestling Champion

While sport is generally regarded as a sphere separate from politics and violence, Jan Mohammad Haidari, head of the football federation in Ghor province and a supporter of the Taliban administration, has given a local wrestling champion in the province a weapon as a prize. Haidari, who is himself a powerlifting athlete and known as the ‘Snow Man of Afghanistan,’ had previously also declared his support for the Taliban administration.

The move runs counter to practices during the republic era, when giving weapons to athletes was banned and receiving one was only possible with official permission and after going through difficult procedures. Now, under Taliban rule, possessing a weapon has become a symbol of pride, and gifting one to athletes as a reward reflects this administration’s different attitude toward violence.

The trend has raised concerns within the sports community and society, as sport should be an environment for peace and solidarity, and giving weapons to athletes could have negative social consequences.