TİKA distributes equipment to 170 badminton players in Afghanistan ahead of tournament

The Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) has extended a helping hand to the Afghanistan National Badminton Federation, providing sports equipment to 170 badminton players.

Following football and cricket, badminton has gained immense popularity in Afghanistan, and with TİKA's support, players, referees, uniforms, scoreboards, badminton rackets and shuttlecocks, badminton mats, and other materials were procured, allowing Afghan youth to participate in international standard activities.

The handover ceremony of the sporting equipment provided by TİKA was attended by TC Kabul Embassy Deputy Secretary Emre Manav, Military Attaché Lieutenant Colonel Levent Polat, TİKA Kabul Coordinator Fazıl Akın Erdoğan, Yunus Emre Institute Director Hüseyin Güngör, Afghanistan Badminton Federation President İrşadulhak Sadiqi, Afghanistan Sports and Physical Education National Olympic Committee Press Affairs Officer Atal Muşwanay, Afghanistan Information and Culture Ministry Deputy Youth Minister Hazratullah Şarifi, badminton players, sports enthusiasts, media representatives, and other guests.

Embassy Deputy Secretary Manav expressed that Turkey stands with the Afghan people and wants to make important contributions to all aspects of life, including health, education, and sports.

TİKA Kabul Coordinator Fazıl Akın Erdoğan also expressed his belief that Afghan youth will achieve significant gains in the field of sports, and they want to show the world a normalized face of Afghanistan.

Afghanistan Badminton Federation President İrşadulhak Sadiqi stated that Turkey once again demonstrated that it stands with the Afghan people. Sadiqi said, "Afghan youth will compete with the world in badminton, just like in all other sports."

Following the speeches at the ceremony, the prepared equipment was distributed to the players, and all sports enthusiasts were invited to the badminton tournament that will be held.

In collaboration with TİKA and the Afghanistan National Badminton Federation, the National Badminton Tournament and National Team Selections will be held in the capital, Kabul, from May 7-14, 2023.

Badminton matches have been suspended in Afghanistan for 2.5 years due to various reasons, but with the support of TİKA, Afghan youth will have the opportunity to showcase their skills and participate in international competitions.