Sport, Cultural Identity, and Masculinity: Afghan and Pakistani Athletes in South Asia and the Global Diaspora (Routledge Research in Sport, Culture and Society)

This is the first book to shed light on the nuanced relationship between sports, cultural identity, and masculinity by examining the experiences of Afghan and Pakistani men athletes, within their respective regions and abroad.The book draws on various socio-cultural frameworks, such as decolonization theory, to dissect power dynamics, critique the influence of neoliberal policies in contemporary South Asian societies, and unpack the concept of masculinity by challenging widespread yet often unexamined beliefs.Presenting important new material on sports including cricket and traditional sports like buzkashi, the book investigates the far-reaching impact of key geopolitical events, such as the fall of Kabul in 2021, in order to understand how these pivotal moments reshape the landscape of sports in these countries, from participation rates to the meaning and experience of athletic pursuits, especially for those who have migrated or are considering migration.It also offers a critical anal