Afghan Sports Trust (AST) Annual Report 05[th] April 2024 to 04[th] April 2025 Registered Charity Number: 1189138
Annual Report Supporting Notes
1. Objectives & Activities
1.1 Our Mission Statement
The Afghan Sports Trust provides grants for grassroots sports organisations and sports clubs in Afghanistan.
“Sports is a cost-effective and powerful tool for promoting important human values such as respect for rules and for others, teamwork, discipline, diversity, hospitality and empathy.” – UN Sustainable Development goal 3
People will often think of Afghanistan as a place of instability, conflict, or poverty. But it is also a country with a long history, great beauty, and incredible generosity. Too often we only hear one side of the story, and it’s important to try to locate and create positive stories, a sense of pride, and a way for people to enjoy themselves together. Sport can provide all those things.
1.2 Summary of Activities
The Afghan Sports Trust (AST) supports local sports clubs and groups in Afghanistan. We also assist Afghans who have migrated following the 2021 political transition and are using sport to help integrate into new environments. In addition, support Afghans overseas who are delivering sports projects either in Afghanistan or within Afghan communities in transition. Eligible groups and individuals may receive financial assistance through our grantmaking programme.
We are pleased to have provided grants and disbursements to a number of projects and individuals during this reporting period.
1 Afghan Sports Trust (AST) – Annual Report 5[th] April 2024 – 4[th] April 2025
1.3 Regard to public benefit
Sports activities deliver clear public benefit by supporting both physical and mental health, while also contributing to positive social change. Our distribution of small-scale grants to grassroots sports movements and clubs has helped create the foundations for wider access to sport for the general public, with particular benefit to vulnerable groups and young people.
Since the 2021 regime change, supporting women’s participation in sport has become significantly more challenging. Although we continue to assist where possible, programmes involving women almost always have to operate discreetly and in private settings, as women are currently not permitted to take part in sports in public. Despite these constraints, we remain committed to enabling safe and meaningful opportunities for women and girls to stay active.
2. Achievements and Performance
The Afghan Sports Trust has established itself as a reliable organisational structure to which sports movements, organisations, and clubs can apply for support. It also serves as a platform for information sharing and networking across the Afghan sporting community. The organisations receiving funding from the Afghan Sports Trust represent a diverse range of sports, spanning both winter and summer disciplines. Activities are delivered not only in the capital, Kabul, but also across multiple provinces, ensuring a decentralised approach that supports broader reach and greater impact.
3. Financial Review
3.1 Income
We have received income of £5,970 of which £5,970 was unrestricted.
Income during the year was received primarily from:
-
Fundraising collaboration with our charity partners, the ‘Secret Marathon’
-
Individual donations
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Charity runner packages offered through the Ring O’ Fire ultramarathon, where participants raise funds on behalf of the Afghan Sports Trust
3.2 Expenditure
The AST distributed grants to a number of projects, charity partners and individuals. In total we issued grants amounting to £5,923.
3.3 Year End Balance
The balances at the end of the reporting period are £14,714 all unrestricted.
2 Afghan Sports Trust (AST) – Annual Report 5[th] April 2024 – 4[th] April 2025
3.4 Additional items
No additional items to note.
4. Structure, Governance and Management
4.1 Type of Governing Document:
CIO - FOUNDATION Registered 20 Apr 2020
4.2 How the charity is constituted: Charity Incorporated Organisation
4.3 Trustee selection methods
Every trustee must be appointed by a resolution passed at a properly convened meeting of the charity trustees
5. Reference and Administrative details
| Charityname | Afghan Sports Trust(AST) |
|---|---|
| Registered charitynumber | 1189138 |
| Charity’s principal address | 5a Pipers Avenue HARPENDEN AL5 1HB |
| Website | www.afghansportstrust.org |
6. Charity Details
| Name | Positon | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| James Bingham | Chairman | |
| Juliane Weymann | Trustee | |
| Keith MacIntosh | Trustee | Deceased in August 2025 |
| Zeinab Rezaie | Trustee | |
| Stefano Franzoso | Treasurer |
3 Afghan Sports Trust (AST) – Annual Report 5[th] April 2024 – 4[th] April 2025
Declarations
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above. Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
Name: Stefano Franzoso Position: Treasurer Date: 25 January 2026
4 Afghan Sports Trust (AST) – Annual Report 5[th] April 2024 – 4[th] April 2025
Afghan Sports Trust
Statement of Financial Activities (Income & Expense) April 6, 2024 to April 5, 2025
| Income Income and Endowments Total Income Expenses Expenditure Total Expenses Net Resource movement Transfers between funds Net movements in funds Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward |
£ Unrestricted 5,269.62 5,269.62 (5,922.60) (5,922.60) (652.98) (652.98) 15,366.74 14,713.76 |
£ Restricted |
£ Endowment |
|---|---|---|---|
£
Total
5,269.62 5,269.62
(5,922.60) (5,922.60)
(652.98)
(652.98)
15,366.74 14,713.76
Afghan Sports Trust
Charity Commission Registration Number 1189138 Balance Sheet - Detail As at April 5, 2025
| Current Assets Cash At Bank and in Hand Net Assets Funds & reserves Restricted funds Unrestricted General Funds Funds Provided |
£ 14,713.76 |
|---|---|
| 14,713.76 - 14,713.76 |
|
| 14,713.76 |