Afghan cyclists traveling to represent their country at the 2026 Asian Road Cycling Championships in Saudi Arabia were denied entry at the airport, despite holding valid visas. The Afghanistan Cycling Federation has condemned the action as discriminatory and a violation of sporting fairness.
The 2026 Asian Road Cycling Championships, taking place from February 5–13 in the Qassim region of Saudi Arabia, feature over 1,500 athletes from 40 countries competing in elite, under-23, junior, and para-cycling categories. Afghanistan’s riders were scheduled to participate in multiple events, including individual time trials and road races.
Among the affected athletes, Yulduz Hashimi shared her personal ordeal in an Instagram post, describing the experience as one of the most difficult nights of her sporting career. She said that upon arrival at the airport, immigration officers refused to recognize her travel document, despite her visa being issued on that very document, and offered no clear explanation or meaningful dialogue. She was ultimately forced to return to Switzerland.
“I cried, not out of weakness, but because it is deeply painful to follow every rule and still be treated unfairly… Sport should represent fairness, equality, and respect, regardless of nationality or type of travel document,” Hashimi wrote.
Following the Taliban takeover in 2021, many Afghan cyclists fled the country. Yulduz Hashimi, along with her sister Fariba, resettled in northern Italy, where they were granted refugee status. With the support of former Italian world champion cyclist Alessandra Cappellotto, they resumed their training and continued competing internationally.
Despite holding a visa issued by the Saudi Embassy in Geneva, Yulduz and other Afghan cyclists were refused entry at the airport. Saudi Arabia’s visa information website explicitly states: “Refugee permits, travel documents or identity cards are not recognised for Traveller’s passport purpose in Saudi Arabia.”
In an official statement, the Afghanistan Cycling Federation said: “Denying entry at the airport on the claim that these documents are ‘not passports’ is unacceptable, legally inconsistent, and discriminatory. Our riders have competed internationally for years using the same documents without incident. Subjecting them to last-minute rejection and humiliation is a violation of basic principles of fairness, dignity, and sporting integrity.”
The Asian Cycling Confederation (ACC) also issued a statement expressing concern and solidarity with Hashimi and other affected Afghan athletes. The ACC said it recognizes the emotional and professional impact such incidents have on competitors who prepare for years for continental events.
“Every athlete must be treated with dignity, fairness, and respect when travelling for legitimate sporting purposes,” the ACC said, noting the particularly difficult circumstances faced by Afghan athletes — especially women — since 2021, many of whom continue to compete internationally using refugee or special travel documents recognized under international frameworks.
The ACC noted that in this case the athlete traveled with a visa officially issued based on the same document later questioned on arrival. While acknowledging that immigration decisions are the sovereign right of each country, the confederation stated that athletes holding valid visas and recognized refugee documentation for sport should be treated with clarity, consistency, and humanity.
ACC President Dato’ Amarjit Singh Gill said Afghan athletes, particularly women, have endured extraordinary hardship in recent years but continue to pursue sport with courage and determination.
“When an athlete has followed every process, holds a valid visa, and travels to compete, they deserve to be given that chance. Sport must protect the vulnerable, not create further barriers. We must do better as a sporting community to ensure that no athlete, particularly those already displaced, is left feeling excluded or unheard,” he said.
The ACC added that it will continue engaging with relevant stakeholders to improve coordination and clarity for athletes traveling under refugee or special status in order to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Despite the setback, Hashimi affirmed her commitment to her sport and to raising awareness: “This incident will not define my journey. I hope that by sharing my experience, awareness can be raised so that no other athlete has to go through the same situation in the future.”
