Afghanistan will not feature in Tokyo Paralympics

Afghanistan Paralympics team will not participate in the upcoming Tokyo 2020 Paralympics games because they are trapped in the country, confirmed the International Paralympic Committee (IPC).

"Regrettably, NPC (National Paralympic Committee) Afghanistan will no longer participate in the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games," IPC spokesman Craig Spence was quoted as saying by aljazeera.com.

"Due to the serious ongoing situation in the country, all airports are closed and there is no way for them to travel to Tokyo."

It's the first time Afghanistan won't be represented at the Paralympics since the Sydney Games in 2000 - when the country was banned from competing due to the Taliban's oppressive treatment of women.

"It was a dream for NPC Afghanistan to attend the Tokyo 2020 but with these unfortunate circumstances it's close to impossible", Afghanistan Paralympic' Committee's Chef de Mission Arian Sadiqi, who is based in London, said on Twitter.