Afghanistan’s wheelchair basketball team ended its Asian Championship campaign with a loss to the Philippines
Bangkok | by Sayer Zaland
Afghanistan’s national wheelchair basketball team ended its Asian Championship campaign on Friday with a 52–42 loss to the Philippines, closing a challenging run at the regional tournament in Thailand.
Afghanistan played five matches during the event, earning two victories against India and New Zealand while falling to Iraq, Kuwait, and the Philippines. With three defeats, the team missed out on advancing toward qualification for the Japan 2026 Paralympic Games.
The tournament featured teams from 14 Asian nations and began on 7 November in Bangkok under Thailand’s hosting. Competition concludes today, 15 November.
Officials and players described the campaign as valuable competitive experience for the squad, which continues to represent Afghanistan in international para-sport events despite limited training facilities and support at home.
Afghanistan’s wheelchair basketball program has expanded gradually over the past decade, backed by community initiatives and international coaching partnerships. The national team remains one of the country’s most active para-sports groups, providing opportunities for athletes with disabilities to compete regionally and build toward future qualification attempts.
