Friba Rezayee, who competed in judo at the 2004 Athens Games, says female Afghan cricketers and athletes in other sports are treated "as if they didn't exist" by the Taliban regime, and called on England to pull out of the match in protest.
The team have come under political pressure to withdraw from the match in Lahore as a moral objection to the Taliban's ongoing assault on women's rights in the country, and Rezayee, the founder of Women Leaders of Tomorrow, has now joined the calls.
"Afghan female athletes need your support to be able to practise (their) right to play sports," Rezayee wrote in a letter seen by the PA news agency.
This story is from the January 09, 2025 edition of The Herald.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the January 09, 2025 edition of The Herald.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Is Wagner the man for Argyle?
FORMER HUDDERSFIELD AND NORWICH BOSS IS INTERVIEWED BY CLUB
Peacock takes on full-time role at Bolitho Park
PLYMOUTH Parkway has significantly expanded the role of assistant manager Lee Peacock, appointing him to a new full-time position within the club.
Arteta's excuses for Arsenal are a load of balls
MIKEL Arteta said Arsenal's 2-0 defeat to Newcastle in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final did not reflect his team's performance as he hinted the ball used for the game at the Emirates Stadium hindered his players.
Argyle are closing in on Puchacz
PLYMOUTH Argyle have agreed a deal to take Poland international left-back Tymoteusz Puchacz on loan from German Bundesliga club Holstein Kiel, according to media reports in Europe.
Lopetegui sacked and to be replaced by Potter
WEST Ham have sacked head coach Julen Lopetegui after less than eight months in charge.
Arteta's excuses for Arsenal are a load of balls
MIKEL Arteta said Arsenal's 2-0 defeat to Newcastle in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final did not reflect his team's performance as he hinted the ball used for the game at the Emirates Stadium hindered his players.
Call yet to be made on Manny surgery
RUGBY UNION Exeter's Rob Baxter says that a decision has still to be made on whether England wing Immanuel Feyi-Waboso will undergo shoulder surgery. Feyi-Waboso dislocated his shoulder while in action for Exeter just before Christmas.
Respects paid to 'loved' Grayson
Webb Simpson hopes the parents of Grayson Murray know how much their son was loved by fellow players following a ceremony to celebrate his life ahead of this week's Sony Open.
Afghan Olympian calls for England boycott
ONE of Afghanistan's first female Olympians has called on the England cricket team to boycott their Champions Trophy match against the Asian country's men's team next month.
Vow to end schools north-south divide
SIR Keir Starmer has vowed to address a north-south disparity in schools.
