KABUL, Afghanistan — Khalilah Ali, the widow of Muhammad Ali, the legendary boxing champion, arrived in Kabul this week with a delegation to discuss the construction of a sports stadium and the establishment of a sports association in Ali’s name.
The Taliban-led General Directorate of Physical Education and Sports confirmed that Ms. Ali’s visit aims to support the development of the Pirouzi (Victory) Stadium and a sports organization named after Muhammad Ali.
This is Ms. Ali’s third visit to Afghanistan for similar purposes; she previously visited twice to advance projects intended to support Afghan athletes.
Her arrival comes amid the Taliban’s sweeping restrictions on women’s participation in sports and other public spaces. Since reclaiming control of Afghanistan in 2021, Taliban have banned girls and women from sports altogether.
