ASJF Issues Urgent Statement on Unofficial Representation of Afghanistan at AIPS Asia Congress
Date: June 30, 2025
Location: Kabul, Afghanistan
The Afghanistan Sports Journalists Federation (ASJF), on behalf of over 100 Afghan sports journalists and members of its Executive Committee, has submitted an urgent letter to the leadership of the AIPS Asia and the International Sports Press Association (AIPS), expressing serious concern over the unauthorized participation of Mr. Sayer Zaland and an associate at the AIPS Asia Congress being held in Hong Kong from June 30 to July 4, 2025.
The letter was formally addressed to Mr. Hee Don Jung, President of AIPS Asia, and Mr. Amjad Aziz Malik, General Secretary of AIPS Asia. It was also copied to Mr. Gianni Merlo, President of AIPS, and Mr. Jura Ozmec, General Secretary of AIPS.
The ASJF strongly objects to the recognition of Mr. Zaland as an official representative of Afghanistan, citing the expiration of his mandate and serious concerns raised within the Afghan sports journalism community regarding his past conduct.
Mr. Zaland served as Vice President of the ASJF from November 2020 until the end of its legal term in November 2024. However, he no longer holds any official position within the Federation. In addition to the expiration of his mandate, ASJF members highlight that Mr. Zaland has lost the confidence of the broader community due to allegations of financial mismanagement and obstruction of democratic processes within the organization.
In the statement, ASJF writes:
“Despite these facts being communicated clearly in our earlier letters, we are alarmed to see Mr. Zaland and his associate apparently being granted formal recognition by AIPS Asia as delegates representing Afghanistan. This is not only misleading, but it also risks further damaging the credibility of both AIPS and AIPS Asia.”
The letter makes two urgent and specific requests to AIPS Asia:
1. Immediate cancellation of Mr. Zaland’s and his associate’s participation in the AIPS Asia Congress as official Afghan delegates.
2. A commitment to recognize only those representatives of Afghanistan who are endorsed through a transparent, inclusive, and democratic process by the legitimate Afghan sports journalism community.
The ASJF emphasizes that this situation jeopardizes ongoing efforts to reform and rebuild the Federation based on integrity, legitimacy, and broad participation. It warns that endorsing individuals with a record of exclusionary practices undermines the principles of AIPS and AIPS Asia.
ASJF concludes its statement with an open offer to provide any necessary documentation and expresses hope that AIPS Asia and AIPS will act swiftly to ensure the fair and accurate representation of Afghan sports journalists on the international stage.
Media Contact:
Afghanistan Sports Journalists Federation (ASJF)
Kabul, Afghanistan
Phone: +93 78 136 2100
Email: afghansportsjournalists@gmail.com
Website: www.asjfmedia.com
