Afghanistan has opened the International Badminton Open 2025 in Kabul, welcoming athletes from Uzbekistan, Syria and Iran for a week-long multinational tournament.
Kabul | By Sayer Zaland
The International Badminton Open 2025 began in Kabul on Thursday, bringing together competitors from four countries in a week-long event aimed at expanding the sport’s international reach inside Afghanistan. The tournament, organised by the Afghan Badminton Federation with support from the National Olympic and Sports Authority, features 16 athletes: four from Uzbekistan, one each from Syria and Iran, and ten representing Afghanistan.
Senior officials, including Molavi Ahmadullah Wasiq, Director General of Olympic, Physical Education and Sports, attended the opening ceremony alongside technical deputy Hafiz Ahmadjan Zadran, federation leaders and a large group of supporters. Wasiq described recent sporting achievements as “a major source of pride for Afghanistan” and reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to backing athletes across all disciplines.
Welcoming the visiting players, he said that their participation reflects the growing credibility of badminton within Afghanistan and signals the country’s improving ability to host international sporting events.
Badminton has seen steady development in Afghanistan in recent years, supported by expanded training programmes and increased participation among youth. The 2025 Kabul tournament is part of broader efforts to re-establish regular international competition in the country and provide Afghan athletes with exposure to higher-level opponents as the sport continues to grow regionally.