Afghan boxers seek asylum in Serbia after running away from Taliban

They practiced in secrecy and sneaked out of Afghanistan to be able to compete in an international championship.

Now, the Afghan boxing team are seeking refuge in the West to be able to continue both their careers and lives without danger or fear.

The team of nine boxers, their coach and a top federation official remained in Serbia after the World Boxing Championship finished in early November, saying they could face retribution from the Taliban if they returned home.

The team have since contacted several foreign embassies, inquiring about humanitarian visas and protection.

While they have received negative responses by some of the European Union nations' representatives, they still hope for a positive outcome.

Tens of thousands of Afghans, including athletes, have fled the country since the US and other international troops pulled out in August and the Taliban took over.

Waheedullah Hameedi, the secretary-general of Afghanistan's boxing federation, says the Taliban do not approve of boxing and the team stand little chance of pursuing their careers freely in their home country.

After having participated in the Asia championship in Dubai in May, Hameedi was determined to take his team to Belgrade for the competition that started late October.

They registered as a Fair Chance Team, reserved for athletes who had to flee their countries or are unable to represent their own nations.

"We did very good performance," he says. "It is a big achievement for us."

Ahead of the trip, the boxers trained at secret locations and had to make sure nobody knew about their plan.

They managed to get visas for Iran first, before applying for Serbian visas at the embassy in Tehran, and heading on to Belgrade.

Though the Taliban have sought this time to portray themselves as more tolerant generally - as well as with regards to sports - than during their previous rule in 1996-2001, Hameedi insists that this is not the case in reality.

His father, who was the previous president of the Boxing Federation, was gunned down in 2019 by unknown assailants and his son believes the Taliban were behind the attack.

Though they are now in Serbia, Hameedi and the team have not applied for asylum in the Balkan nation.

While thousands of migrants and refugees come to Serbia every year after fleeing their home countries, most of them wish to continue toward wealthy countries of western Europe where it is easier to find jobs and make a living.

But Hameedi explains that their Serbian visas expired days ago and they need a secure country to take them in because they have been warned by friends and relatives not to go back to Afghanistan.

Attorney Marko Stambuk, who works with the Belgrade Centre for Human Rights, an organisation that provides legal advice regarding asylum procedures, says the Afghan boxers have contacted the institution and have been informed about their options in Serbia.

While waiting amid uncertainty, the boxers still managed to organise occasional practice sessions in local gyms.

After a training session this week, one of the boxers, Hasibullah Malikzadah, said he was afraid to go back home, and wanted desperately to continue his career freely somewhere else.

"I want to be good champion" and a role model for children around the world, the 20-year-old said.

"I really want this, I really have a good dream."