Former Afghan Snooker Federation President Accuses Olympic Committee Secretary General of Mismanagement

Mahboob Shah Darabi, former president of Afghanistan's Snooker Federation, has issued strong accusations against Mohammad Yunus Popalzai, secretary general of the Afghanistan National Olympic Committee, demanding legal accountability for years of alleged mismanagement.

Darabi claims that over the past decade, budgets allocated annually through capacity-building programs for sports federations were received but lacked transparent, documented, and traceable expenditure. He states that annual reports clearly show no federation benefited from these funds, which were widely embezzled.

He further alleges that in nearly five years, no champions, athletes, or federation presidents received real support from Olympic Committee officials. Instead, opportunities for participation and privileges were reserved for a close circle of friends and relatives.

According to Darabi, sports management has been monopolized through a closed network, exploiting athletes' efforts. Many publicized achievements stem from personal relationships rather than principled, professional planning.

Darabi asserts that sports events in recent years were held primarily to superficially justify funding and avoid scrutiny, not to foster genuine growth. He also accuses officials of fueling ethnic biases, which have tainted the sports environment without positive outcomes.

After accessing documents and evidence, Darabi says he has distanced himself from Popalzai's performance and commits to pursuing the matter through legal and judicial channels.

He apologized to compatriots for past endorsements of certain figures, stating that time reveals truths and that silence now would betray thousands of athletes.

Afghanistan International sought comment from Popalzai but received no response.