For the past two months, Afghanistan's National Zurkhaneh Team has been rigorously training in Kabul to prepare for the upcoming Asian competitions in Iran.

They are dedicated to representing their country with full readiness and achieving favorable results.

Mustafa Nuristani, Deputy Head of the Zurkhaneh Federation, considers the athletes' physical condition and readiness to be satisfactory for the event.

Mustafa Nuristani told TOLOnews: “We received the invitation two months ago, and our players have been specially preparing for this competition. They train twice a day. We have participated in various international arenas and won medals, and this time we promise to return with great achievements.”

Seven athletes in different weight categories and a coach will represent Afghanistan in these competitions.

Afghanistan's zurkhaneh athletes will compete in individual, team, and Pahlevani categories against their rivals.

Several zurkhaneh athletes are pleased to be invited to the Asian competitions in Iran and speak of their readiness to win medals.

Hakimullah Bigzad, a member of the national zurkhaneh team, told TOLOnews: "We have won fifty gold, silver, and bronze medals in international competitions. We have been training for three months now and are striving to achieve good results.”

Ahmad Samim Niazi, another member of the team, said: “We have prepared extensively, and I hope to win a medal from Iran and bring pride to Afghanistan. Twenty countries are participating in this competition.”

Additionally, some other zurkhaneh athletes mention facing financial challenges in pursuing this sport. They call for support from the sports administration and the private sector.

Ahmad Shakib Atayee, a member of the national zurkhaneh team, said: “If each of our traders sponsors a sports discipline, I think our athletes can focus better and achieve results. The government also helps within its budgetary capacity, but all athletes have participated in these competitions at their own expense.”

The national zurkhaneh athletes are heading to the Asian competitions in Iran, where they will also hold a five-day training camp to further prepare for the event.

The Asian Zurkhaneh Championships, involving more than 20 countries, will begin on June 18 in Iran.