KABUL): Renowned Afghan athlete, Roohullah Nekpa, on Saturday vowed to skip international events as long as Taekwondo Federation leadership was not changed.
Afghan players could not contest international taekwondo competitions in Mexico on July 15 due to differences between federation leaders and coaches over the selection of players, Nekpa told Pajhwok Afghan News.
One of the coaches went as far as stand down because of the dragging rifts which discouraged athletes, he said, stressing the need for changing the federation’s current leaders.
“Zia Bakhshi, the head of the federation, has shown through his behaviour that the body is his personal club,” the athlete alleged, accusing the president of picking the team in utter disregard of merit.
Nekpa reiterated he would not participate in global contests if his demand for reforms at the federation fell on deaf ears. Other players and coaches shared his view, he claimed.
He had resigned due to the federation’s dictatorial attitude, said Afghan coach Bashir Taraki, who vowed not to return as long as correctives were not provided.
Selecting players for international competitions is a coach’s authority, but the head of the federation chose the team without in violation of merit, he said.
Afghanistan National Olympic Committee head Mohammad Zahir Aghbar acknowledged the players’ complaints were valid. But the federation head was elected by players from 34 provinces, he explained.
They would try to resolve the problems, but they could not sack anyone on the basis of accusations, Aghbar argued, explaining he had not accepted the coach’s resignation.
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