The one question the Taliban refuses to answer following Afghanistan takeover

Afghanistan’s sports chief has promised 400 sports will be permitted under the Taliban regime, but remained tight-lipped on women.

The new regime in Afghanistan has promised that sport will be allowed to go ahead under its rule – but there is one question it’s refusing to answer.

Afghanistan’s newly-appointed director for sports and physical education said sport would not be banned under the Taliban regime unless it did not comply with sharia law.

Bashir Ahmad Rustamzai served as the wrestling federation chief when the extremist Islamist group were previously in power before he fell out with the Western-backed government.

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Although hundreds of sports had been deemed as allowable by the Taliban, Mr Rustamzai has now repeatedly ducked questions on the issue of women’s sports.

“Please don‘t ask more questions about women,” he snapped.

When pressed again on whether women would be permitted to play sport under the Taliban regime, an Adviser interjected: “We can imagine the same thing as in universities – allowing women to play sports, but separately from men.”

Mr Rustamzai refused to confirm that claim.

New rules on universities allow for women to continue studying as long as they are strictly segregated from men and adhere to a dress code of an aba robe and niqab face veil.

Later in the interview, Mr Rustamzai continued to distance himself from the topic of women’s sport: “The opinions of our elders (senior Taliban) are important. If they ask us to authorise women, we will – otherwise, we will not. We await their announcement.”

Taliban's director of physical education and sports Bashir Ahmad Rustamzai at a gymnastics event in Kabul. Photo by BULENT KILIC / AFP

During the Taliban’s oppressive regime from 1996 to 2001, women were completely banned from playing any sport or receiving education. Sports stadiums were regularly used for public executions.

Since the Taliban’s takeover last month, many of Afghanistan’s female athletes have reportedly gone into hiding and received death threats.

SBS News reported women would not be permitted to play sport under the Islamist group’s regime, with the Taliban‘s cultural commission Ahmadullah Wasiq saying it was “not necessary” for women to play sport.

“In cricket, they might face a situation where their face and body will not be covered,” Mr Wasiq told the Australian broadcaster.

“Islam does not allow women to be seen like this.

“In cricket and other sports, women will not get an Islamic dress code. It is obvious that they will get exposed and will not follow the dress code, and Islam does not allow that.”

Bashir Ahmad Rustamzai at his office in Kabul. Photo by BULENT KILIC / AFP

The reports prompted a response from Cricket Australia (CA) ahead of Afghanistan’s Test match in Hobart, claiming it would have “no alternative” but to scrap the historic fixture.

“If recent media reports that women’s cricket will not be supported in Afghanistan are substantiated, Cricket Australia would have no alternative but to not host Afghanistan,” the statement read.

Hamid Shinwari, the Taliban-appointed chief executive of the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) later accused CA of a “knee jerk” reaction to the damning reports, and said “considered, balanced, cricket diplomacy” would be more productive.

“Agreeing to host the Test match would be a treasured gift to the people Afghanistan by Cricket Australia. It will build relationships rather than close minds,” Shinwari said in a statement.

ACB chairman Azizullah Fazli later told SBS Radio Pashto he was still hopeful women would be able to play the game.

“Very soon, we will give you good news on how we will proceed,” he said.

Cricket Australia has taken a strong stance in advocating for women's sport and Beth Mooney is all for it #AUSvINDpic.twitter.com/7aasM4SrvM

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) September 13, 2021

Regardless, CA has remained unmoved on their stance, with Australian batter Beth Mooney claiming the national women’s team was “100 per cent” behind the call.

“One of the driving forces of Australian cricket is making sure we provide cricket as a sport for all,” she said earlier this week.

“If we’re not advocating for women’s cricket around the country and around the globe … we’re not putting our money where our mouth is.

“It’s a really important situation, and it transcends sport.”

But speaking ahead of Australia’s upcoming series against India, all-rounder Ellyse Perry had no intention of weighing into the debate.

“I’m not educated on the whole situation, but it’s very disappointing for the modern world where we should only be increasing rights and opportunities for women,” she said.

Australia’s multi-format series against India gets underway on Tuesday with a one-day international at Mackay.

– with AFP