On February 28, the Australian men’s cricket team is set to face Afghanistan at the ICC Champions Trophy in Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore. But many human rights activists are urging Cricket Australia to boycott this match, to take a stand against the Taliban’s erasure of Afghan women’s rights to work, education, basic medical care, and participation in public life.
Ahmad Roman Abasy has been a powerful voice in this movement, launching an online campaign called #CancelTheMatchForAfghanWomen, which aims to challenge the Taliban’s desire to “legitimise” its regime through sport. As a popular athlete and a prominent women’s rights advocate in Afghanistan for more than a decade, Abasy became a prime target for the Taliban after the United States’ military withdrawal from the country. He was forced to flee with his family to Australia in 2022 and has continued his advocacy from his new home in Sydney.
Ciaran O’Mahony and Bianca Roberts spoke to Abasy to find out more about his latest campaign and Afghan women’s current plight.
Can you tell us about your journey as a Taekwondo champion and why you’ve used your influence to advocate for women’s rights?
Ahmad Roman Abasy: I started Taekwondo as a young boy in Kabul, Afghanistan and later had the honor of representing my country internationally. As part of Afghanistan’s National Taekwondo Team, I competed in over 30 international events and won five medals, including one at the Asian Games.
When the Taliban banned women from sports, it felt like they were taking away not just opportunities but also the identity of Afghan women athletes. Seeing how sports can change lives, I felt it was my duty to speak up for Afghan women athletes and fight for their rights.
How did life change when the Taliban returned to power in August 2021? And how did you manage to escape to Australia?
When the Taliban returned, life changed completely overnight. For athletes, human rights activists and anyone with progressive views, it became a nightmare. Women were banned from schools, sports and public life, and people like me, who spoke out, were targeted.
I had to leave Afghanistan to stay safe. With help from the International Olympic Committee and the Australian Olympic Committee, I evacuated to Australia in 2022. It was a difficult journey, leaving behind family, friends and everything I knew. But coming to Australia gave me a new chance to speak up for those who couldn’t leave.
You’re now working as a Youth Settlement Worker for people from refugee/migrant backgrounds. Has your own experience as a refugee shaped how you support others?
Yes, my experience as a refugee has helped me understand the challenges of resettling, feeling alone, facing cultural barriers and dealing with trauma. I know how hard it is to start over and that’s why I work to support others going through the same.
In my role, I use sports to help young refugees and migrants build confidence, make friends and find happiness. It’s amazing to see how sports can heal and empower people, just like it did for me.
What inspired you to launch a campaign urging the Australian men’s cricket team to boycott their upcoming match against Afghanistan?
The Taliban’s ban on women’s sports is part of their larger attack on women’s basic rights. Playing international matches against Afghanistan risks supporting a regime that oppresses women and uses sports for propaganda.
I started this campaign because staying silent means supporting the injustice. Sports are about fairness, inclusion and equality and we can’t ignore when these values are being broken. The Australian cricket teams have a chance to send a strong message by refusing to play these matches.
How are you using your platform to spread this message and raise awareness about the situation for Afghan women?
I’ve been contacting athletes, politicians and human rights advocates to support the campaign. Social media has been a big help in spreading the message. I’ve asked supporters to share pictures with banners calling for match cancellations.
I’m also working with the media and human rights groups to share this message and keep attention on Afghan women’s struggles.
What has the support for the campaign been like so far? Have other athletes or advocates thrown their support behind it?
The response has been positive. Athletes, politicians, and advocates have shown support for Afghan women by sharing their voices and pictures.
For example, [Richmond] WAFL player Rebecca Miller has joined the campaign. These voices are important to build momentum and push cricket boards to take action.
What is life currently like for women living in Afghanistan? Have you heard any recent stories from friends or family about the challenges women are facing?
Life for women in Afghanistan is very difficult. They are not allowed to go to school, work, play sports or even be in public without a man. The Taliban has pushed them out of society.
Many activists, including women, have been put in prison for speaking up. Girls are forced into early marriages, not given medical care and live in fear every day. They can’t wear what they want or go where they want. Many can’t work or go to school. These stories show us why this fight is so important.
Some people argue that politics and sport should stay separate. But do you feel that the Taliban is using international sports events to normalise or legitimise their regime?
The Taliban uses sports to create the image that everything is normal and to gain support from the world. Letting them play in global events without holding them accountable sends the message that their actions against women are okay.
Sports are never separate from politics; they show the values of society. If we let teams from oppressive regimes play without questioning them, we are helping spread their message.
How do we balance resisting the legitimisation of the Taliban regime with the risk of limiting opportunities for men like those in the Afghan cricket team who, despite not being as oppressed as Afghan women, are still globally underrepresented in the sporting world?
This is a difficult issue, but the main focus should be on justice and human rights. While the Afghan cricket team has talented players, their participation in international events can indirectly support the Taliban regime.
The priority should be creating opportunities for athletes to compete without being connected to oppressive governments, like how refugee teams compete in the Olympics. This allows athletes to show their skills without supporting a regime that violates human rights.
Why do you believe it’s important for Australia to take a stand at events like this?
It’s important for Australia to take a stand because Australia has always supported human rights and equality. By canceling the match against Afghanistan, Australia would show that it cares more about human rights than sport. It would send a message that Australia does not support the Taliban’s treatment of women. Women in Afghanistan are facing terrible restrictions and Australia can show it stands with them in their fight for freedom and equality. This is not just about cricket, it’s about doing what is right and showing the world that we won’t accept the Taliban’s oppression.
Cricket Australia already canceled a three match ODI series against Afghanistan in March 2023 in the UAE. By canceling this match too, Australia would keep showing its support for Afghan women’s rights.
Is there more that the international community should be doing to support Afghan women?
Yes, much more needs to be done. The international community should put pressure on the Taliban, impose sanctions, and provide safe places for women and girls at risk.
Organisations should also fund education and support programs for Afghan women to make sure they are not forgotten. Advocacy is important to keep this issue in the public eye.
Overall, what’s your message to the Australian Cricket team on this issue?
My message is simple: stand for justice. By canceling the match, you can send a strong message to the world that human rights are important.
Your decision will show your values and inspire others to support Afghan women who have been silenced. Sports should help people, not be used to support oppression.
