SOCIETY — February 19, 2026
Taliban halts all sports activities in Takhar province for Ramadan
The Taliban ordered a suspension of all sports activities in Takhar province during Ramadan, citing instructions from its national Olympic authority. Sources also reported a nationwide ban on annual Ramadan Cup cricket matches.
The Ehtebar Desk — originates with Afghanistan International — 2 min read
The Olympic, Physical Education and Sports office of the Taliban in Takhar province has ordered all federations and sports officials in the province to suspend all matches and sports activities during Ramadan.
The Takhar office stated that sports activities are halted during Ramadan by order of the Taliban's General Olympic, Physical Education and Sports Presidency.
Sources told Afghanistan International that the Taliban's Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice has banned "Ramadan Cup" cricket matches across all provinces. These matches had been held nearly every year during Ramadan in almost all provinces.
According to a memo published by the Takhar Olympic, Physical Education and Sports office, "Respected Olympic, Physical Education and Sports managements of the 16 districts and respected federation officials are obliged to implement according to existing policies and considering the memo received from the National General Presidency of Olympic, Physical Education and Sports, and prevent the holding of matches until the end of the holy month of Ramadan."
Read the original reporting at Afghanistan International →
Reliability assessment
Single source provides direct quote from an official memo issued by the named Takhar Olympic, Physical Education and Sports office, including concrete details such as the province, 16 districts, and duration until end of Ramadan; additional attribution from sources on the cricket ban.
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Afghanistan International
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Society — Taliban, Takhar, Ramadan, sports ban, cricket
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