By Nick Butler

Fahim Hashimy has hit back at allegations against the Afghanistan National Olympic Committee ©A-NOCAfghanistan National Olympic Committee (A-NOC) President Fahim Hashimy has defended the integrity of his organisation and called for an end to Government interference following criticism from taekwondo players, including two-time Olympic medallist Rohullah Nikpah. 


Nikpai, winner of the war-torn nation's first Olympic medal, a bronze, at Beijing 2008, before winning a second four years later at London 2012, has accused A-NOC of failing to intervene against officials from the Afghanistan National Taekwondo Federation, who allegedly stole money designed for athletes.

He has resigned from the team as a result, placing into jeopardy his participation at Rio 2016.

Team captain and 2012 Asian Championship bronze medallist Massoud Karimi has also resigned, along with others, including 2011 World Championships participant Mahmoud Haidari.

The athletes have refused to represent Afghanistan until the situation is resolved, with Karimi telling television station Tolo News this is because the "head of the National Olympic Committee, is supporting traitors, stealing money from the athletes and forging our signatures".

But Hashimy, a businessman who owns 1TV, another television network, has defended himself and accused Nikpai and the other athletes of "misunderstanding" his position.

This is because the alleged corruption by the taekwondo officials took place before his arrival as President, he claims, so he does not have power to intervene in any way other than to encourage fresh elections.

Hashimy, elected to his position last May, also bemoaned the Government opposition to his tenure, which has meant he is currently financing national teams out of his own pocket, including at the Incheon 2014 Asian Games last year. 

Rohullah Nikpai has won both of Afghanistan's all-time Olympic medals ©Getty ImagesRohullah Nikpai has won both of Afghanistan's all-time Olympic medals ©Getty Images



As well as refusing to offer financial support, the Government has also helped set up rival Federations, Hashimy claims, including one in taekwondo that is helping to increase the ongoing instability.

"We are very concerned about Government interference in the National Olympic Committee and Olympic sporting federations," he told insidethegames.

"By cutting finance and creating duplicate federations they are putting pressure on us."

With taekwondo the nation's most successful sport in an Olympic sense, the situation is of major concern just 18 months ahead of Rio 2016.

But Hashimy has also said that, because many members of the team taekwondo remain and have enjoyed strong international performances this year, the situation has not yet reached a critical level.

He also underlined the improvements that have occurred since he took over, which has included, for the first time, a "successful implementation the A-NOC statutes", a key part of Hashimy's pre-election manifesto.

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