Mohammad Zahir Aghbar, chairman the Afghan Olympic Committee, on Monday withdrew his candidacy for another term as chairman of the committee.

The election process for the chairman’s position is set to be held next week.

“Over the past month, we kept the door open for candidates to file nominations for the head of the Olympic committee; I have decided to withdraw my candidacy and open the door for the three remaining candidates,” said Aghbar.

Nisar Ahmad Bahawi, a former member of the national Taekwondo team, Azim Niazi, chairman of the Tennis Federation and Ahmad Shah Ashuri, head of the Snooker Federation have announced their intention to run for the position.  

“I call on all sportsmen to be united and work together for further development of sports in the country, I promise to do whatever I can to secure funding from all over the world for the sports sector in Afghanistan. If I win the election I will spend the money on key sectors,” said Bahawi.

Niazi meanwhile said: “I have been a servant of sports from the beginning and will continue serving this field.”

The Olympic Council of Asia has set aside February 20 as the day of elections.

According to the Olympic Council of Asia’s constitution, only heads of sports federations are allowed to cast their votes in electing the new chief of the Afghan Olympic Committee.