Taliban Sports Officials Hold Talks with Indonesia to Expand Athletic Cooperation

Ahmadullah Wasiq, head of the Taliban-run sports administration, held talks with Taufiq Hidayat, Indonesia’s Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports, during an official visit to Indonesia coinciding with the start of the Asian Cup competitions. The discussions focused on expanding sports cooperation between the two sides.

According to the information provided, the meeting emphasized facilitating greater access for Afghan athletes residing in Indonesia, including opportunities to participate in local leagues and training camps.

Taufiq Hidayat described the visit as a positive step toward developing sports relations between Indonesia and Afghanistan and stressed the importance of continuing communications in this area. However, critics point out that the Taliban’s extensive restrictions on sports, particularly the exclusion of women from sports activities, could hinder Afghanistan’s ability to fully benefit from such cooperation.

Also present at the meeting was Saadullah Baloch, Afghanistan’s ambassador to Indonesia, who highlighted the role of sports diplomacy in strengthening bilateral relations.