Samira Asghari Explained

Samira Asghari (born 31 March 1994) is a member of the International Olympic Committee for Afghanistan since 2018. Upon her election at the age of 24, Asghari became the first representative from Afghanistan and one of the youngest ever members to join the IOC. Before being selected for the IOC, Asghari played for the Afghanistan women's national basketball team and worked for the Afghanistan National Olympic Committee during the 2010s. With the ANOC, Asghari briefly held the finance director and Deputy Secretary General positions in the early to mid 2010s.

Early life and education

On 31 March 1994, Asghari was born in the Jalrez District, Afghanistan. Shortly after her birth, Asghari and her family became war refugees and moved to Iran.^{[1] [2]} Growing up, Asghari played association football and basketball while attending school.^[3] For her post-secondary education, Asghari went to Kateb University for a Bachelor of Arts in international relations.^[4]

Career

During the 2010s, Asghari joined the Afghanistan women's national basketball team and was named captain of the Afghan basketball team.^{[5] [6]} Outside of basketball, Asghari worked for an Afghan agency in women's sports before starting her Olympic careerwith the Afghanistan National Olympic Committee.^[3] With the NOC, Asghari first held positions in women's sports and international relations. As an executive for the NOC, Asghari held one year positions as finance director and Deputy Secretary General during the early to mid 2010s.^{[1] [2]} During this time period, Asghari joined committees for the Olympic Council of Asia and International Olympic Committee in 2014.^{[6] [3]}

In 2018, Asghari became the first elected member of the International Olympic Committee from Afghanistan.^[6] Her election made Asghari one of the youngest ever members of the IOC when she joined at age 24.^{[7] [8]} As part of the committee, Asghari was selected to join a commission for future winter Olympics in 2019.^[9]

Following the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan, it was confirmed that Asghari was living in Europe.^[10] Fearful for the safety of her fellow Afghan female athletes, she called on the United States to help them evacuate the country.^[11]

Awards and honors

In 2019, the Afghanistan Sports Journalists Federation presented Asghari with the Sports Personality of the Year award.^[12]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Ms Samira Asghari . International Olympic Committee . 4 February 2020.
2. Web site: Zaland . Sayer . Samira Asghari, the girl from Afghanistan’s war-torn regions, is inspiring others on her way to IOC membership . Association Internationale De La Presse Sportive . 4 February 2020 . July 30, 2018.
3. News: First Afghan Ever Elected As IOC Member . 27 April 2020 . Tolonews . 10 October 2018.
4. Web site: Samira Asghari . Athlete365 . 4 February 2020.
5. News: Arghandiwal . Miriam . U.S. basketball team set up so Afghan women can shoot hoops . 27 April 2020 . Reuters . March 8, 2012.
6. Web site: Smith . Matthew . Afghanistan's first IOC member Asghari named national sports personality of the year . Inside the Games . 4 February 2020 . 18 June 2019.
7. Web site: Olympic Highlights 12/06/2019 . International Olympic Committee . 4 February 2020.
8. Web site: Samira Asghari: From refugee to IOC member . Olympic Channel . 4 February 2020.
9. Web site: Four Asian representatives on new IOC Olympic Games hosting commissions . Olympic Council of Asia . 4 February 2020 . 8 October 2019.
10. Web site: Youngest IOC member, Afghan Samira Asghari, reappears on the Olympic stage at Beijing 2022. Hernández. Miguel. 2022-02-04. Infobae. 2024-06-10.
11. Web site: Afghan IOC member seeks US help to evacuate female athletes. . 2021-09-19. Reuters. 2024-06-10.
12. Web site: IOC Member Samira wins Sports Personality of the Year award in Afghanistan . Around the Rings . 13 June 2019.