The International Badminton Open 2025 in Kabul ended after a week of competition among athletes from Uzbekistan, Syria, Iran and Afghanistan, with Uzbek players securing top honours in both singles and doubles.
Kabul | By Sara Amiri
The International Badminton Open 2025 concluded in Kabul on Wednesday following a week of high-intensity matches featuring athletes from four participating nations. The tournament, organised by the Afghan Badminton Federation with support from the National Olympic and Sports Authority, brought together 16 competitors from Uzbekistan, Syria, Iran and Afghanistan in singles and doubles categories.
Uzbekistan delivered a commanding performance, claiming both top positions in the men’s singles. Bilal won the championship title with a dominant display, while Ghaffar, also from Uzbekistan, finished as runner-up. The nation continued its success in the doubles category, where the pair of Bilal and Ghaffaruddin captured the championship. The Afghan-Syrian duo of Sadiq Barakzai and Hesamuddin claimed second place after a strong campaign.
The closing ceremony was attended by senior sports officials, including Hafiz Ahmadjan Zadran, Technical and Professional Deputy of the National Olympic and Sports Authority, along with federation leaders and athletes.
Speaking at the event, Atal Mashwani, spokesperson and Head of Communications for the Sports Authority, described the hosting of the tournament as “a significant honour for Afghanistan,” highlighting recent achievements by Afghan athletes on the international stage.
Mashwani stressed that developing domestic competitions and ensuring regular participation are essential for strengthening Afghanistan’s competitiveness in global events. He also extended appreciation to the foreign participants, expressing hopes that Afghanistan’s hospitality would leave a positive impression.
Tournament organisers awarded USD 2,000 to the singles champion and USD 1,000 to the runner-up as part of the closing ceremony.
International badminton activity in Afghanistan has expanded in recent years, supported by a growing domestic player base and renewed efforts to host multinational competitions. The 2025 Kabul event marks another step toward re-establishing Afghanistan as a venue capable of staging international sporting events and providing its athletes with higher-level exposure.