Ahmad Romal Hayat is the founder and President of Afghanistan Snowboard. A lifelong athlete and advocate for youth empowerment, Romal started Afghanistan Snowboard in 2016 with a bold vision: to introduce snowboarding to Afghan youth as a way to inspire peace, build resilience, and create opportunity in a conflict-affected nation.

What began as a small grassroots effort—using modified skateboards and limited resources in the mountains of Afghanistan—quickly grew into a national movement. Romal believed winter sports, especially snowboarding, could offer young people a sense of identity, belonging, and hope. His determination, along with support from local communities and international partners, led Afghanistan Snowboard to join the World Snowboard Federation (WSF) and the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS).

Under Romal’s leadership, Afghanistan Snowboard organized national competitions, launched youth training camps, and in 2025 proudly represented Afghanistan at the Winter Asian Games for the first time.

Romal's journey reflects the belief that sport is more than just physical activity—it is a tool for unity, transformation, and pride. His pioneering efforts have opened doors for a new generation of Afghan athletes, proving that even in adversity, dreams can take flight on snow-covered peaks.