Afghan boxer Mohammad Yaqoubi hopes the Taliban "changes their mind" about education and sports for women ©ITG

Afghan boxer Mohammad Yaqoubi hopes the Taliban "changes their mind" about education and sports for women and added that going home is not an option for now.

The 31-year-old, who fled his home country when Taliban first came to power in 1996, says his family now lives in Iran.

Yaqoubi is a practicing Shia Muslim, a minority community in Afghanistan, marginalised by the hard-line Islamist group.

When Taliban first took over Afghanistan, they governed until 2001 before being removed by a United States-led operation.

However, the group returned to power in 2021, following which they cracked down on women's rights and neglected basic services.

"Not at the moment, I can’t go home," Yaqoubi said.

"It’s not easy.

"They [Taliban] have come again.

"I feel sad about the situation and hope they change their mind.

"Women should be allowed to do what they want.

"Education is very important for them.

"But it is a difficult situation at the moment."

Yaqoubi, who trains in a gym in London and woks at a restaurant to support himself, said he is here at the International Boxing Association (IBA) Men's World Boxing Championships alone.

He exited the tournament after losing to Shogo Tanaka of Japan in their bantamweight category round of 32 bout.

The boxer had a coach in his corner - Conrad Fredericks of Saint Lucia.

However, Yaqoubi said he met Fredericks here and requested him to come sit in his corner.

Mohammad Yaqoubi, right, said he trains in a gym in London ©ANBF
Mohammad Yaqoubi, right, said he trains in a gym in London ©ANBF

"I train alone and keep a check on my weight," said.

"But I met the coach here and asked them to join me.

"They are friendly people and agreed."

The boxer is supported by the Afghanistan National Boxing Federation (ANBF).

Abdullah Mohammadi was the other boxer representing Afghanistan here at the World Championships.

However, Mohammadi gave a walkover in the lightweight round of 64 bout against Vladislav Voroshilov of Israel due to injury.

"They [ANBF] know me.

"They asked me if I wanted to go fight for Afghanistan and I said yes.

"It is a good experience for me.

"There was another boxer here, but he could not fight due to injury.

"There is no team at the moment, but the National Federation supports us.

"There are so many problems.

"Everything is hard."

Asked about the Paris 2024 Olympics, Yaqoubi said he has not thought about it.

For now, meeting his family in Tehran is the priority for the boxer.