The Taliban authorities in Afghanistan has formally banned combined martial arts (MMA), citing its incompatibility with Islamic regulation.
The Taliban Bans MMA in Afghanistan
An official from the Taliban’s sports activities authority defined to an area broadcaster that MMA is taken into account too violent and poses a threat of demise. This choice was made following an investigation by the Taliban’s Ministry for the Propagation of Advantage and the Prevention of Vice, which discovered that MMA contradicts the teachings of Islam. The Taliban’s Common Directorate on Bodily Schooling and Sport issued an announcement to the AFP information company, stating that the game is problematic below Sharia regulation, resulting in the ban.
MMA has been a well-liked sport amongst Afghan youth, gaining a big following over the twenty years earlier than the Taliban regained energy in 2021. The Combined Martial Arts Federation was established in 2008, and organizations just like the Afghanistan Preventing Championship and Actually Grand Preventing Championship organized quite a few occasions.
Regardless of not being explicitly named in official decrees, MMA has confronted growing restrictions for the reason that Taliban’s takeover. In 2021, the Taliban enacted laws that successfully banned competitions by prohibiting “face-punching.” Some fighters have reported threats and harassment from Taliban officers.
For the reason that Taliban took over in 2021, many MMA fighters from the nation have already left resulting from security issues. These fighters face quite a few challenges as refugees, together with adapting to new cultures, discovering coaching amenities, and securing monetary help. Regardless of these difficulties, they continue to be dedicated to pursuing their ardour for MMA.
In 2017, ESPN visited an MMA health club within the nation and reported:
“Fighters hope the game can succeed domestically and produce about change to a area the place something constructive could make a serious influence.”
MMA Fighters from Afghanistan
Afghanistan has boasted many fighters within the sport of MMA.
Siyar Bahadurzada – A retired MMA fighter who competed within the welterweight division of the UFC.
Nasrat Haqparast – An energetic MMA fighter who has competed within the UFC.
Baz Mohammad Mubariz – Founding father of the MMA Federation in Afghanistan and organizer of the Afghanistan Preventing Championship. He’s at the moment residing in Thailand resulting from security issues after the Taliban takeover.
Sayed Waris Hashime – A former club-level fighter in Kabul who gained a number of novice belts. He has since relocated to Europe as a result of Taliban’s restrictions on MMA
MMA Organizations in Afghanistan
Combined Martial Arts Federation of Afghanistan: Based in 2008. Afghanistan Preventing Championship (AFC): Established in 2018. Actually Grand Preventing Championship (TGFC), and Snow Leopard Preventing Championship: Based in 2015, it was the nation’s first MMA event.
