2 Afghan athletes in Tokyo to compete in Paralympics

KABUL (Pajhwok): With their country in a state of uncertainty, two athletes from Afghanistan have landed in Tokyo to participate in the Paralympics, organisers say.

The International Paralympic Committee said Saturday Zakia Khudadadi and Hossain Rassouli had flown from Kabul to Paris before reaching Japan’s capital.

Khudadadi, the first female athlete to take part in the Paralympics since Athens 2004, will compete in the women’s 44-49-kilogram weight category in taekwondo on Thursday

A day later, her teammate will line up in the heats of the men’s 400 meters T47 event. The Paralympics are scheduled to conclude on Sept. 5.

IPC President Andrew Parsons met the two-member Afghan team at the Paralympic Village. The Afghan athletes will not be available for interviews.

PAN Monitor/mud

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