Jalali dreams to raise Afghanistan’s name on world’s biggest stages

KABUL (Pajhwok): Obaidullah Jalali, a 19-year-old from Kabul, has been involved in fitness for only two years, yet in this short period he has managed to transform the direction of his life. He believes that with continued training and proper support, he can one day step onto major Asian and international stages.

Born into an educated family, Jalali completed his studies at Esteqlal High School two years ago. He had hoped to enter the field of computer science through the Kankor exam, but did not succeed.

From failing Kankor exam to finding a new purpose

Jalali says that after failing to secure his preferred field in the Kankor exam, he felt as everything had fallen apart and spent some time feeling lost. However, instead of giving up, he decided to search for a new path—one he later realized could lead him toward major achievements.

Before entering fitness, Jalali used to play futsal and participate in general sports activities. His father also practiced fitness, which encouraged him to pursue the sport himself.

“I realized that fitness is a great sport, and I became interested in it. It’s been two years since I started, and my passion grows day by day,” he said.

“When I first began, I didn’t have a clear goal. I started training with my friends, but as I began seeing positive results, this sport gradually became my purpose. I then decided to prepare myself for national and international competitions.”

Training under an experienced coach

Jalali now trains under Ustad Rahman Qahrman, a coach who has earned several championship and runner-up titles. His training program and diet are strictly managed under his coach’s supervision, a discipline that has significantly contributed to his progress.

Inside Afghanistan, Jalali looks up to Ali Bilal as his role model, while internationally he admires Chris Bumstead, a leading figure among the new generation of bodybuilders.

First achievement ignites a bigger dream

Jalali recently competed in the Kabul Central Zone championship and secured first place. Standing 185 cm tall, he passed the competition with impressive results.

“When I won first place, I gained the confidence that I will achieve my dreams. My commitment to myself grew stronger, and now I’m certain I will reach my goals,” he said.

Wherever he goes, Jalali receives encouragement—from friends, relatives, and even people who have only seen him in passing. This support fuels his motivation to train harder. For the past month, he has also been following a strict diet in preparation for upcoming competitions.

“Fitness is expensive, but it gives me hope for the future”

Jalali admits that the path he has chosen is neither easy nor affordable.
“Fitness and bodybuilding are costly sports. The price of protein, creatine, and the necessary foods is high,” he said.

Financial challenges remain a major obstacle, but with his family’s support he has continued to move forward. He believes that with help from businessmen, institutions, or the government, he can compete globally and bring pride to Afghanistan.

“If I receive support, I can reach high ranks like Ali Bilal and maintain championships for years,” he emphasized.

He added that hundreds of talented athletes face similar financial barriers, preventing them from achieving their potential. Jalali calls on the Islamic Emirate to support young, talented athletes who lack the resources to move ahead so they can bring honor to the country.

Coaches and officials: Jalali has a promising future

Ustad Rahman Qahrman, Jalali’s coach, describes him as: “Obaid is a good boy—young, with extraordinary genetics. We can say he has ‘super genetics.’ He has trained under my supervision for several months and is now ready.”

He added: “Obaid has a completely natural physique and has not used any artificial substances. He is fully prepared for competitions, and we are training him for the next stages: the spring championships, national team trials, and then Asian and world competitions.”

Despite having limited resources, Jalali presents an impressive and well-defined physique. His coach believes that if he receives support from his family, the government, and investors, he will achieve remarkable results.

Farhad Noori, a referee and veteran of the sport, also sees great potential in him:
“Obaidullah has a very attractive and standard physique. He has the talent to reach the national team and can represent the country internationally.”

Khwaja Agha Siddiqi, media officer for the National Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation, says the federation currently lacks a budget for financial support. However, it actively seeks talent through provincial competitions to recruit promising athletes for the national team.

Similarly, Atal Meshwani, spokesperson for the Physical Education Directorate, says the department strives to support talented athletes within its available resources.

sa/ma