Mixed martial arts (MMA) athletes are grappling with despair following the Taliban’s decision to ban the sport, citing its incompatibility with “Islamic law.”
The ban, enforced through a recent decree by the Taliban leader, has left many athletes uncertain about their futures and disheartened by the abrupt halt to years of hard work and dedication.
The athletes say the ban has dealt a severe blow to their morale, as their training and aspirations have been upended.
“We hope they find a solution quickly,” said Seyyed Jawad Hosseini, a martial arts coach and head trainer. “It would make us happy if all the youth who have been discouraged and distanced from sports can restart again because this ban has affected all clubs and athletes. If martial arts involving punching are banned, there should be a solution.”
Others fear they may be forced to leave Afghanistan if they can no longer practice their sport. “If this sport is banned, we will be forced to leave the country,” said Milad, an MMA athlete.
Despite these concerns, the Taliban remains firm in its decision. Saif Khyber, a spokesperson for the Taliban’s Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, defended the ban, asserting that it aligns with the group’s interpretation of Islamic principles.
“The law of promoting virtue is an important law in human life,” Khyber said. “This law is decided by scholars and leaders based on the needs of the people, and it will be passed and enforced as a significant and necessary law.”
The ban on MMA is part of a broader trend of restrictions imposed by the Taliban since their return to power in 2021, with the group enforcing numerous decrees that have reshaped daily life in Afghanistan. Many citizens have expressed growing frustration with these measures.
“Previously, they [the Taliban] imposed many restrictions on women,” said Sadaf, a resident of Kabul. “Men remained silent against all the laws imposed on women, and now these strict laws are being imposed on them.”
The international community has repeatedly warned that it will not normalize relations with the Taliban unless they meet their obligations to uphold human rights, including the rights of women and girls.
According to a United Nations report, the Taliban has issued more than 50 decrees that have significantly impacted the lives of Afghan citizens, particularly women.
For Afghan athletes, the future is increasingly uncertain, as they wait to see whether the Taliban will reconsider its stance or if their sporting careers will come to an end.
