The National Taekwondo Federation of Afghanistan announced that Syed Masood Karimi, former captain of the Afghan national taekwondo team, has officially received his International Referee certificate from the World Taekwondo Referee Committee.
Kabul 24: Syed Masood Karimi, who previously won the championship title at the World Masters Games by defeating strong opponents, now joins a select group of Afghan officials qualified to judge at global taekwondo events.
This achievement allows him to officiate in prestigious international competitions, marking a significant step forward for the sport in Afghanistan.
The federation described Karimi’s success as an “important and valuable milestone” in efforts to expand and develop taekwondo across the country.
Officials emphasized that having Afghan international referees at world-stage events will greatly enhance the discipline’s profile and credibility.
They expressed hope that this accomplishment will inspire young Afghan athletes to pursue excellence not only in competition but also in technical roles such as refereeing.
Syed Masood Karimi enjoyed a distinguished career as an athlete, representing Afghanistan in numerous Asian and international tournaments and earning several medals.
His transition from competitor to international referee demonstrates his ongoing commitment to taekwondo’s growth in Afghanistan, particularly during a challenging period following recent political changes when the sport has worked to maintain and rebuild momentum.Meanwhile, domestic taekwondo activities continue across provinces.
The sixth edition of the Herat Provincial Clubs Championship Cup concluded recently, with Ariana Club claiming the title after accumulating 41 points.
Meywand Club finished second, followed by Soltani Club in third place.Organizers reported strong participation from multiple clubs in Herat, noting the high technical level of the competitions. The event provided an excellent platform for scouting new talent and strengthening club-level competition in western Afghanistan.
The National Taekwondo Federation stressed that hosting such provincial tournaments is a key part of its strategy to promote the sport nationwide.
Given taekwondo’s popularity among Afghan youth, achievements like Karimi’s are expected to further boost participation and development.
These developments signal positive progress for taekwondo in Afghanistan—a sport that has previously produced global stars such as Rohullah Nikpai, an Olympic medalist who brought international recognition to the country.
