First Buzkashi league to hold opening games in Kabul

KABUL (TOLO News): Officials of the Buzkashi Federation said on Sunday that the opening games for the first Buzkashi league will be held on Thursday, March 5, in Kabul’s Chaman-e-Hozoori area, and riders from 14 provinces will participate.

The aim of this competition is to select the best riders for the national Buzkashi team, according to officials, who say that teams from 14 provinces gathered at a lottery ceremony in Kabul city to form teams for the competition.

“The competition will have a good effect in Afghanistan and in the world. We will hold competitions with other countries– especially with countries in the Middle East in Kabul soon,” said Hafiz Wali Rahimi, head of the Physical Education and Sports Directorate and head of the National Olympic Committee.

“There are more riders in the provinces and villages. We should select best among them,” said Saifuddin Tandoghan, head of the Buzkashi Federation.

Buzkashi riders, who participated in the ceremony, said that the matches will revive the Buzkashi sport again.

“They are busy organizing the games–in the last three days riders will compete for the national team. Whether or not we are invited by our neighbors we should participate in those matches,” said Inayatullah Sakhe Sadaq, head of the Baghlan Buzkashi team.

“We believe that the competitions will have a good effect on the youth and other citizens because there are a large number of Buzkashi fans in this country,” said Faisal Hasan, head of the Kabul peace team.

Teams from Faryab, Takhar, Kabul, Panjshir, Jawzjan, Parwan, Kunduz, Badakhshan, Samangan, Kabul peace, Sar-e-Pul, Baghlan, Mazar-e-Sharif, and Bamiyan are expected to participate in the weeklong matches in Kabul city, along with traditional spear competitions.

10 percent of the money made from the competition will be donated to children with severe heart conditions.