At least 200 martial artists representing 24 teams from around the country including two teams from Afghan refugees in Iran and Pakistan on Saturday participated in National Junior Taekwondo Championship in Kabul.

The martial artists are competing in 10 weight categories.
At least 40 top martial artists will be selected through the competition for the national junior taekwondo team.
“Such competition will help us to find the best talents. Afghanistan’s taekwondo should not be only focused on Kabul. We want to use the talents who are either in other provinces or out of the country,” said Bashir Taraki, the coach of the National Taekwondo Team.
The martial artists who represent Afghan refugees in Iran and Pakistan said they hope that they will find their way to the national team.
“I am so excited that I have participated in such an event,” said Malyar, martial artist from Paktia.
“I have come from Mashhad city (in Iran) and I want to be member of the national team,” said Sediqullah, a martial artist from Afghan refugees’ team.
It was the ninth national level competition to select the best athletes for the national team.