History of Artistic Gymnastic

Also see History of Gymnastic in Afghanistan.

Gymnastics, as an activity, has existed for over 2,000 years, but its development as a competitive sport began just a little more than 100 years ago. During the 1800s, mass and individual exhibitions were conducted by various school clubs, athletic clubs and ethnic organizations such as the Turnvereins and Sokols.

Although slow to catch on in the schools, gymnastics did flourish in the Turnvereins and Sokols.

The International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) was formed in 1881, and then called the Bureau of the European Gymnastics Federation, opening the way for international competition. In the United States, the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) assumed control of gymnastics, along with most other amateur sports, in 1883. Prior to this time gymnastics championships were held by various clubs and organizations.

The first large-scale meeting of gymnasts was the 1896 Olympics, where Germany virtually swept the medal parade. Gymnasts from five countries competed in events, which included men's horizontal bar, parallel bars, pommel horse, rings, and vault.

The first international gymnastics competition outside of the Olympics was held in 1903 in Antwerp, Belgium, and gymnasts from Belgium, France, Luxembourg and the Netherlands competed in what is now considered the first World Championships. At St. Louis in 1904, the men's team combined competition was added to the Olympic program.

At the ninth World Championships in 1930 at Luxembourg, the competition included the pole vault, broad jump, shot put, rope climb and a 100-meter sprint. Track and field did not fully disappear from the World Gymnastics Championships circuit until the 1954 competition.

At the 1924 Games in Paris, the basis of modern Olympic gymnastics competition was firmly established. The athletes (men) began to compete for individual Olympic titles on each apparatus, as well as in combined individual and team exercises. The 1928 Games witnessed the debut of the first women's event, the team combined exercise, won by the Netherland.

History of Gymnastic in Afghanistan

Although there is no document to prove or clear the history but different exercises are picture of the history that gymnastic was performed in exhibitions such as, hand stands, flips, rope climbing, and passing body from fired ring. And all these events show and describes that gymnastic existed among people since so long time.

In 1938 gymnastic has been added to the army training schedule by Indian and Turkey coaches.

In 1949 Ministry of Education has developed a gymnastic club in Kabul in front of ( Shado Shamshira ) by co-operation & help of Europe and attention of government of Afghanistan. Gymnastic club was stablished. And started hard working and with much interest to work for Afghanistan’s youth and children.

In 1982 for the first time 6 Male members and 6 Female Members of Russian National Gymnastic team entered to Kabul for a ten day exhibition.

And after that ministry of education made an official agreement with Russian government for some specialist coaches and this agreement was in progress till 1983.

And in 1983 6 members of National team of Russian Acrobatics Gymnastic was invited by Ministry of Defense for the glorifying of the Independence day of the country and they showed up a very nice and interesting acrobatics exhibition in Kabul Sports Stadium.

In 1984 named club was the only Gymnastic Training Club all over the country and unfortunately due to a bad unknown accident at night the Building was completely burned.

After 1 year break during that time they were practicing their exercises on the Football ground of Kabul Stadium without any matt and any other apparatus in hot sun shine. So, the athletes consult and decided to add current sport to the chart of Olympic Committee and a meeting was held about and for the first time Gymnastic Federation was found in 1985. Beside that an agreement of Olympic Committee and Ministery of Education ( Laame-ai-Shahid Gymnastic Gymnasium ) was signed for Gymnastic Training.

For the first time foundation of Gymnastic Federation elected Shah Malang as a President, Mohammad Naeem as Voice President, Ayubi as General Secretary and Qayum one of the best gymnast as a National Team Coach. And 5 personal National team of the country was found which was consisted of following gymnasts: Purdil, Mohammad Rasul, Sharif, Farhad and Mohammad Sami.

1987 Gymnastic team 5 personal went to Qazakestan Almata.

In year 1988 six departmental teams were stablished which were as following: Army, Ministry of Education, Police, National Security, Kabul University and Physical Training Dep.

Then the federation prepared a youth Female team and started for the trainings.

In 1990 National Security’s Gymnastic team visited Iran.

And in 1990 Gymnastic team 20 personal youth male and female visited Tajekistan.

In 1991 gymnastic in Afghanistan was getting really better and was in a good level, also the head and responsible was Mr.Mohmmad Rasul Zalmy who was voice president and Mr.Purdil was coach of National Team. After that due to bad and critical situation in Afghanistan athletes were unable to improve further practices but they didn’t gave up and still keep going.