20 Afghans being trained in India for Doha Games

Patiala, Dec 2 (UNI) In yet another gesture of support to its war-ravaged neighbour, India is training a contingent of Afghan sportspersons for the Doha Asian Games.

At least 20 sportspersons, including officials, are presently enjoying free Indian hospitality at the NIS here as they train at a ten-day coaching camp in the disciplines of athletics, wushu, judo, wrestling and boxing.

According to Rohallah, manager of the contingent, members were very happy at the arrangements at the NIS.

President of the Afghanistan Wushu Federation Syed Rahman Youresh, said they expected a medal or two in Wushu at Doha as they had already undergone a one-month-long training under a Chinese Wushu coach, who was in Afghanistan in October.

Iran was also giving a lot of aid and currently Afghan taekwondo, karate and body-building teams were training in Iran for Doha Asiad.

''Our fencers are training in London and the cagers are training in USA for Doha Asian Games,'' he said.

Youresh says that during the Taliban rule in Afghanistan, there was no freedom to play and it was the time when there was a decline in every sphere of human activity.

''Now under Hamid Karzai, Afghanistan is now limping back to freedom and progress under the present regime, '' he said.

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