POLITICS — April 6, 2026
Taliban Sports Officials Reject 'Mazari' Name for Kabul Futsal Team
Taliban sports officials rejected requests from west Kabul elders and supporters to keep the "Omid Shahid Mazari" name for a futsal team, banning it from a tournament in Mazar-e Sharif after insisting the "Mazari" reference be removed.
The Ehtebar Desk — originates with Hasht-e Subh — corroborated by Afghanistan International — 2 min read
KABUL — Taliban sports officials refused requests from elders and supporters in west Kabul to retain the name "Omid Shahid Mazari" for a local futsal team, sources said.
The officials insisted that the name "Mazari" must be removed, leading to the team's ban from a futsal tournament in Mazar-e Sharif, Balkh province. Elders and supporters met Ahmadullah Wasiq, head of the Taliban's General Directorate of Physical Education, Yusuf Karigar, head of the Football Federation, and Hafiz Ahmadjan Zadran, technical deputy, on Saturday and Sunday in west Kabul.
Taliban sports officials required the team to change its name or forgo participation in competitions. The decision was made by senior Taliban officials in Kabul.
The incident reflects broader restrictions on sports activities since the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan.
Read the original reporting at Hasht-e Subh →
Reliability assessment
Corroborated by two independent outlets (Hasht-e Subh, Afghanistan International) reporting the same core event with named Taliban officials involved.
The source language mixes facts with framing or advocacy wording. Hasht-e Subh: 'Extensive restrictions have been imposed... challenging athletes' frames Taliban policies as overly burdensome; 'renewed takeover' (تسلط دوباره) implies illegitimate seizure of power.
Across the newsrooms
Filed by 2 outlets
Hasht-e Subh
Originating
Framed
Framed
Afghanistan International
Framed
Framed
Filed under
Politics — Taliban, Omid Shahid Mazari, Ahmadullah Wasiq, Mazar-e Sharif, futsal
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