But so far a political sports supremo is not among them, and there is certainly no indication that they will ever be one.

For sport is not high on their agenda - in fact it has always been something of an anathema to them. And in principle it was banned under their previous reign of terror.

However there does appear to be one glimmer of hope, for it seems that the Islamic extremist organisation has something of a liking for the good old English game of cricket which in the past two decades, has become the most important and popular sport in the country.

Afghanistan is now a full member of the International Cricket Council, entitling the national team to participate in official Test matches.

The goodish news is that Taliban representatives have met with Afghanistan cricketers and administrators and promised they will address the issues of the senior international cricket team.

Afghanistan were scheduled to take on Pakistan in the ODI series next, undertake a tour of Sri Lanka and feature in the T20 World Cup.

Taliban leaders allegedly have reassured support to the sport. But like everything else relating to the Taliban takeover, we must wait and see. And hope.

It is reported that the Taliban say Afghans started playing cricket under their previous reign and that they will allow the sport going forward.

Naturally concerns have been raised not only about cricket but all sport during the current political turmoil.

In fact cricket was first played in Afghanistan during the 19th century, and in recent years, like other sport has helped unite a war-torn nation. Recent successes have included a victory over the West Indies.

Understandably the return of the Islamists has created considerable anguish - indeed panic - over sport, especially cricket in which during the 1990s exiled players returned home from refugee camps in Pakistan.

Some became cult figures including Shapoor Zaden, with his long, unkempt hair and idiosyncratic run-up when bowling, as well as Hamid Hassan, whom celebrated taking wickets with cartwheels.

It was said that the team was a major reason for boosting Afghanistan‘s global image. Now it is feared that any ban on the game would accelerate Afghanistan losing its identity.

Current star players Rashid Khan and Mohammed Nabi are among those sporting figures who have appealed to world leaders for peace in the country and the continuation of competitive sport.

Rashid Khan has been playing in the Hundred in England while Nabi has been playing in Dubai.

Khan says he is worried about getting his family out of Afghanistan despite Taliban assertions of some sort of “glasnost.”

Many fear that organised sport could be an endangered species since the Taliban swept into power.

Taliban history suggests they are not good sports - and certainly not good at sports. In fact during their previous occupation some sports stadia were used for public executions.

The Taliban seizure of power prevented taekwondo athlete Zakia Khudadadi from making history by becoming the first woman to represent Afghanistan at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics.

The head of the Afghan Paralympic delegation Arian Sadiqi, who is based in London gave Reuters News Agency video of her reacting to the arrival of the Taliban.

She says she feels "in prison" and she is currently being housed by distant family and does not want to risk going out training or seeing friends.

"I urge all women around the world, institutions protecting women’s rights and Governments not to let the rights of an Afghan woman in the Paralympic Movement be killed so easily," she said, before the country found it impossible to participate in the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics because of the Closure of Kabul Airport on flights out of the country.

As insidethegames reported the Afghan flag was carried at the Opening Ceremony and there was a poignant message from sprinter Kimia Yousefi.

Yousefi, who was Afghanistan’s flag bearer at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, said she wondered whether she would be both the first and last woman to perform that role for her country.

She was eliminated in the 100 metres heats in Tokyo as she was in Rio in 2016.

She says: "My dear Homeland - how they left you alone. Dear people to all the strong girls in my country, may God protect you.

"I don’t know if that was the last time I carry the flag in the Games I don’t even know if I can compete in the race to represent you."

Her views were echoed by Afghan taekwondo athlete Farzad Mansouri who pleaded on Instagram: "Pray for my country."

Under the then tyrannical Taliban’s 1996 to 2001 regime all games, music photography and television were banned.

Girls had no right to education. Women were forbidden to work, to play sport or go outside the home without a male chaperone.

However at an initial media conference in Kabul a Taliban spokesman gave an assurance that women’s rights would be respected but “within the framework of Islamic law” and that the hijab must be worn at all times. Presumably even in sport, if they are allowed to participate.

There is also concern for women’s football. Khalida Popal, who launched the first Afghan women’s national team in 2007 is now a refugee in Denmark since 2016 due to death threats against her.

In an interview to the Associated Press she begged the country’s players to run away, leave their homes and not be caught by neighbours who would like to see them in prison

Afghanistan enjoyed the period of relative freedom after the Taliban were ousted from power in 2001. Women’s sport began to flourish against a backdrop of greater freedom.

Is it possible that the Taliban will look around at other Islamic and Middle Eastern countries to see what benefits sport is now bringing to them, such as the football World Cup coming to Qatar, a whole host of major international events staged in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, plus all the sponsorship emanating from the Emirates and with Saudi Arabia now opening up to big time sport and allowing the participation of women.

Who knows? The jury is out. But for the moment sport in Afghanistan is sadly represented by the fate of the young footballer who plunged to his death while clinging to the fuselage of an American plane taking off and carrying others fleeing what they are convinced will be harms way.