Somayeh Gholami and Zahra Mirzaei will gain funding from the IOC’s Olympic Solidarity programme ©Getty Images

Two Afghanistan taekwondo athletes attempts to qualify for Tokyo 2020 have been boosted after they were awarded scholarships by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

The Afghanistan National Olympic Committee (NOC) revealed that Somayeh Gholami and Zahra Mirzaei will gain funding from the IOC’s Olympic Solidarity programme.

The pair join taekwondo athletes Farzad Mansouri and Mohsen Rezaei in receiving Olympic Solidarity scholarships on the road to Tokyo.

Afghan women take part in a taekwondo training session at a gym in Herat ©Getty Images
Afghan women take part in a taekwondo training session at a gym in Herat ©Getty Images

Tokyo-bound Mohammad Fahim Anwari has also been given financial backing from the IOC as he looks set to become the first swimmer to represent Afghanistan at an Olympic Games.

Fahim Anwari is understood to have seen off a field of 30 contenders for the scholarship after a decision was made by the Afghanistan Swimming Federation and the country’s NOC.

Qasem Hamidi doubles as head coach and President of the swimming federation and is helping Fahim Anwari with his preparations.