The Taliban flag was displayed instead of Afghanistan’s three-color national flag at the opening ceremony of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) sports games, according to images released from the event.
Hamdullah Fitrat, the Taliban’s deputy spokesperson, said in a statement on Saturday, November 14, that Mawlawi Ahmadullah Wasiq, head of the Taliban-controlled General Directorate of Sports, attended the opening ceremony.
Around 2,000 athletes from various sports disciplines and sports officials from 22 countries are taking part in the competitions.
Fitrat added that Afghanistan is also participating in the games with three athletes from its judo federation.
According to the statement, Ahmadullah Wasiq met with Russia’s sports minister and several senior sports officials on the sidelines of the ceremony. They discussed strengthening sports relations and expanding cooperation.
