Kabul: The Taliban’s sports authority has announced a ban on Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), deeming it a violent sport and therefore un-Islamic.
According to global news agencies, the Taliban’s sports authority stated that the ban was imposed following an investigation by the Ministry of Vice and Virtue, which found that MMA conflicts with Islamic law or Sharia.
In a statement sent to AFP, the sports authority described MMA as being in opposition to Islamic teachings and many aspects of Sharia due to its high level of violence and the associated risk of death.
The statement emphasized the importance of protecting athletes’ lives, citing that MMA poses significant risks, including severe injuries or death.
It is noted that MMA has not been recognized as an Olympic sport due to safety concerns.
Among the 11 Afghan athletes participating in the Paris Olympics, 4 were martial arts practitioners.