Coach Khadija Ahmadzada arrested in Afghanistan for teaching taekwondo to women
Afghan coach Khadija Ahmadzada was arrested on January 13, 2026, in Herat, Afghanistan, after being reported for teaching women, a practice prohibited under the Taliban regime. The Dutch Taekwondo Federation (Taekwondo Bond Nederland) reported the case, launched a petition, and announced that it would present it to the Afghan ambassador in the Netherlands. Days later, the same entity reported that Ahmadzada had been released following international pressure.
Afghan coach Khadija Ahmadzada was arrested on January 13, 2026, in Herat, Afghanistan, after being reported for teaching women, a practice prohibited under the Taliban regime. The Dutch Taekwondo Federation (Taekwondo Bond Nederland) reported the case, launched a petition, and announced that it would present it to the Afghan ambassador in the Netherlands. Days later, the same entity reported that Ahmadzada had been released following international pressure.
Arrest in Herat and central accusation
According to information released by the Dutch Taekwondo Federation, Taliban intelligence forces arrested Ahmadzada and her father and transferred her to a provincial prison. The reason given by the organization was that the coach was teaching women “in secret,” in a context where women’s sports are restricted.
The news transcended the sporting arena for one specific reason: it was not about a rule or a tournament, but about a woman’s basic right to teach and coach taekwondo.
Who is Taekwondo Bond Nederland and why did it take action?
For international readers: Taekwondo Bond Nederland (TBN) is the Dutch National Taekwondo Federation. In its public statement, the federation said it received the news “with horror” and explained that it decided to take action because a significant part of its community is made up of girls and women.
TBN issued a statement, asked for public support, and directed the campaign toward a diplomatic goal: delivering a petition to the Afghan ambassador to the Netherlands.
International pressure and UN request
The case was also linked to pressure from international actors. TBN quoted the request from the United Nations rapporteur for Afghanistan, Richard Bennett, who called for the coach’s release and safety.
Release confirmed and campaign closed
On January 23, 2026, the Dutch Taekwondo Federation reported that Khadija Ahmadzada had been released and announced the closure of the petition, attributing the outcome to “great pressure from outside,” including efforts linked to the UN.
This episode sent a clear message: in certain contexts, taekwondo is no longer just a sport, but an act of education and personal freedom. It also set an institutional precedent: a European national federation activated public communication, diplomacy, and civil mobilization to defend a foreign coach persecuted for teaching women.
MAS: Media About Sport.
TKD: Taekwondo.
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