The national team selection competitions for New Full Contact officially began in Kabul, featuring 100 athletes from five provinces and aiming to identify the country’s top 30 fighters for the national squad.
Kabul | By Taieb Khatizwal
The National New Full Contact Team Selection Tournament has officially commenced in Kabul, initiated by the National Federation of New Full Contact in cooperation with the General Directorate of Olympic, Physical Education and Sports. A total of 100 athletes from Kabul, Herat, Ghazni, Bamyan, and Daikundi provinces are competing in this three-day event.
Throughout the tournament, athletes in both youth and senior categories will face each other in various weight and age classes. According to the organizers, at the conclusion of the competitions, 30 top-performing athletes will be selected, based on the evaluation of the judging panel, to join the Afghanistan National New Full Contact Team.
The opening ceremony was attended by Hafiz Ahmad Jan Zadran, Technical and Professional Deputy of the General Directorate of Olympic, Physical Education and Sports; Nazer Hussain Ghaznawi, President of the National Federation of New Full Contact; several sports officials; and participating athletes.
During his remarks, Hafiz Ahmad Jan Zadran praised the recent achievements of Afghan athletes on the international stage, describing these successes as the result of their relentless efforts and the continued support of the sports administration. He emphasized the administration’s commitment to further cooperation and assistance for athletes across the country.
Organizers stated that the primary goals of hosting these competitions are to identify emerging talent, strengthen the national team roster, and encourage youth participation in sporting activities.
New Full Contact is an emerging martial arts discipline gaining popularity across Afghanistan. Over recent years, the sport has expanded through organized training programs, regional tournaments, and national-level competitions.
The National Federation, in collaboration with the country’s sports administration, continues to work on developing technical standards, enhancing coaching capacity, and providing platforms for athletes to compete at higher levels. The current selection tournament is part of broader efforts to form a competitive national team capable of representing Afghanistan in regional and international championships.