The event at the Kabul Paris Hall, of which clips were shown on several Afgan TV channels, was attended by 138 figures.

As well as pentathletes themselves, this included coaches and administrators, National Olympic Committee chiefs, officials from other sports governing bodies, leading businessmen and public officials.

The Afghanistan Pentathlon Federation spoke at length about sport in the war-torn country, including on its rules and local heritage as well as a vision for the future,

A video showing plans for a future modern pentathlon stadium was shown.

Seventeen elite Afghan pentathletes were also handed special certificates.

Afghanistan has never competed in an Olympic modern pentathlon competition.

The only have Olympic medals won by the country in any sport have each come by virtue of taekwondo player Rohullah Nikpai, who secured bronzes at Bejing 2008 and London 2012.

But the country's progress has been impeded by a political struggle within A-NOC in recent years.

Two figures - Fahim Hashimy and Zahir Aghbar - are each vying for the Presidency of the organisation, with their access to fund and ability to prepare for Rio 2016 limited until the dispute is resolved.