The first round of taekwondo freestyle competitions with athletes from 14 provinces has been hosted by the central province of Ghazni.  

According to officials of Afghanistan’s Taekwondo Federation, 160 athletes has participated in the competition.  

“The purpose in launching these competitions is to prepare athletes and stimulate their technical growth for national and international competitions, as well as to identify the top players for the national team," said Bashir Taraki, coach of Afghanistan’s national taekwondo team.

The athletes welcomed the competition, saying that it would enhance their technical abilities. “These competitions are great and are carried out at a very high level,” said a member of Herat’s Taekwondo team. 

“It is an honor for us that for the first time these competitions are held in Ghazni with the participation of the national team athletes,” said another member of the Kabul Taekwondo Team. 

“These competitions are very good for the athletes. All the facilities are available in Ghazni province for the athletes who have come from different provinces,” said Suleiman Naimi, the provincial head of the Taekwondo Federation. 

“Holding such competitions is very important for the growth and development of Taekwondo and it is a very happy moment that these competitions have been held for the first time in Ghazni province,” said Sayed Asghar Sadat, head of the Taekwondo competition in Ghazni.