Tributes have been paid after the death of Afghanistan Paralympic Committee President Amir Mahmoud Mahmoudi ©NPC Afghanistan

Tributes have been paid after the death of Afghanistan Paralympic Committee President Amir Mahmoud Mahmoudi.

The official passed away after suffering a heart attack on December 1.

He was described as a "significant figure in the development of Para-sports in his country" by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) who expressed their "great sadness".

IPC President Andrew Parsons also made his own tribute.

"I and the whole IPC Governing Board would like to express our deep and sincere condolences to Mahmoudi's family, as well as to his close friends and colleagues at the Afghanistan Paralympic Committee and Asian Paralympic Committee," the Brazilian said.

Amir Mahmoud Mahmoudi was a significant figure in Afghan Para-sport ©NPC Afghanistan
Amir Mahmoud Mahmoudi was a significant figure in Afghan Para-sport ©NPC Afghanistan

"The work he has delivered as part of the Afghan Paralympic community has had a profound impact on Para-athletes and society as a whole, and for that he will always be remembered. 

"He will be sorely missed.

"The Paralympic Movement has lost a true friend and a passionate advocate for the rights of people with disabilities."

Afghanistan has competed at five Paralympic Games: Atlanta 1996, Athens 2004, Beijing 2008, London 2012 and Rio 2016.