Afghan Sports News

February 2, 2012: ACB announces three 20 overs matches in Pakistan; Afghan youth football team to participate in festival in Pakistan

By Noor Ahmad Noori

The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has announced that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has agreed to three 20 overs matches in Lahore City, Pakistan. An official from the ACB, Naseemullah Danish, said that these matches will take place before the February 10th One Day International (ODI) between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Danish did not mention the exact time of the matches but did add that Afghan coach Kabir Khan started training his players 4 days ago. The purpose of these matches are to help prepare the Afghan team for the International World Cup.

In other sports news, an Afghan youth football team (14 year olds), will travel to Pakistan this year to participate in a football festival, Tahir Raufi, Afghanistan's Football Federation Technical Manager said. The date was not mentioned. According to Raufi, A similar festival occurred 4 years ago in Iran and this time it will be held in Pakistan. Raufi added that the hope is that in three years, Afghanistan will be able to host this event. Iran as well as 8 South Asian football teams are expected participate in the festival.

-- Edited by Abdullah Qazi

February 2, 2012: Cricket in Badakhshan province

By Noor Ahmad Noori

Afghanistan's north-eastern province of Badakhshan has 4 cricket teams, according to Farid Ahmad, Badakhshan's provincial cricket board manager. Ahmad said that 4 other teams are supposed to register under the provincial cricket directorate soon. There are currently no female teams in the province.

Ahmad said that while there are people who are interested in the sport, the full development of the sport in the province still has a long way to go. There are many financial as well as technical problems in the province, for example, like some other provinces, Badakhshan lacks an adequate cricket field. According to Ahmad, the provincial government has promised them a field, but has yet to deliver on the promise. Ahmad does note that his relations with the Afghanistan Cricket Board are good.

Currently the weather in Badakhshan is not suited for cricket matches, but as soon as it improves, Ahmad said that they will hold a cricket tournament.

-- Edited by Abdullah Qazi

January 31, 2012: Sound round of winter cricket tournament has started in Helmand; Afghan golf team to participate in South Asia golf tournament

Al Noor cricket club, one of the local teams from Helmand that
has made it to the second round of the winter cricket tournament.
Photo by: Noor Ahmad Noori

By Noor Ahmad Noori

Mohammad Tahir Abshar, Helmand's provincial cricket board manager, said that the second round of the winter cricket tournament started yesterday. According to him, 6 teams have qualified to go to the second round. The teams are: Hewad, Setara, Achekzai, Al Noor, Itehaad, and Jahani. Weather permitting, the second round is expected to take almost 8 days.

In other sports news, Salaam Watandar radio reported today that Afghanistan's national golf team has left for Bangladesh to compete in the South Asia golf tournament. Two athletes, as well as the coach are part of the Afghan delegation. Afghan golfer Umran Ali, who is currently in Sudan is also expected to participate in the tournament. According to the report, a total of 8 South Asian countries are expected to participate in the tournament, which is scheduled to start on February 1st.

-- Edited by Abdullah Qazi

January 29, 2012: Samadi wins volleyball game in Helmand; Bad weather halts cricket games in Balkh

Photo by: Noor Ahmad Noori

By Noor Ahmad Noori

In the ongoing winter volleyball tournament currently being held in Afghanistan's southern province of Helmand, Samadi played against Ariana and defeated them. According to Mohammad Roustam, the volleyball federation manager, Samadi won two rounds and Ariana won one. The match was held today (Sunday) in the Hamid Karzai stadium in Lashkar Gah, the capital of Helmand province.

Meanwhile, in Afghanistan's northern province of Balkh, cricket tournaments and matches have been put on hold due to the cold and rainy weather in the province, according to Naseerullah, the provincial deputy cricket board manager. Naseerullah said once the weather improves, the games will resume.

The youth in Balkh are very much interested in cricket, they find the game to be very unique, according to Naseerullah. He said that Balkh has 12 cricket clubs and even a female team, called "Afghan Club". Unfortunately, the female team has not been able to play because they don't have a cricket field to play on. However, he added that a cricket field is currently being constructed in the province so they can play soon.

-- Edited by Abdullah Qazi

January 28, 2012: Winter volleyball tournament resumes in Helmand

Mohammad Roustam
Photo by: Noor Ahmad Noori

By Noor Ahmad Noori

Volleyball federation officials in Afghanistan's southern province of Helmand said yesterday that a winter volleyball tournament that was delayed due to the cold and rain weather has resumed. Mohammad Roustam, the federation's volleyball manager said that so far only 5 teams have been able to play. On the first day back, Bost took on Saranwali. Bost won 3 rounds and Saranwali only one.

-- Edited by Abdullah Qazi

January 28, 2012: Helmand: Shaheen defeats Lemar in local football match

By Noor Ahmad Noori

A one day friendly football (soccer) match was held between two local Group B teams in Afghanistan's southern province of Helmand yesterday. The match started at 9:00 am local time. Momtaz Ahmad, Helmand's deputy sports director, said that Ali Raza and Mohammad Akbar each scored a goal for Shaheen. The only goal from Lemar came from a player named Akmal. Therefore, Shaheen won the match 2-1.

-- Edited by Abdullah Qazi

January 28, 2012: Players from Zabul and Oruzgan complete training in Kandahar, and youth level cricket tournament started in Helmand

By Noor Ahmad Noori

Officials from the Loba Sports Training Organization (LSTO) have announced that cricket players from Zabul and Oruzgan provinces have recently completed their training in Kandahar province. Zurab Shah, a deputy official from LSTO, said that they have trained 50 cricket players from Zabul and 50 players from Oruzgan. The players were taught batting, bowling and fielding skills. Shah said that the training provided to these players will greatly improve their skills and further their cricket careers. On the first day of the training, LSTO distributed uniforms, shoes and other equipment to the players.

Meanwhile, in neighboring Helmand province, a 15-overs youth level (B teams) cricket tournament has started, according to Mohammad Tahir Abshar, the provincial cricket board manager. Abshar said that there are currently 4 youth level teams that are participating in tournament, which is expected to last a week. Abshar said the event is being held to further popularize the sport in the province. On the first day, the Achekzai B team played against the Sapian B team and defeated them. Achekzai made 112 runs in 14 overs, losing all wickets, and Sapian made only 93 runs in 15 overs, losing all wickets.

-- Edited by Abdullah Qazi

January 26, 2012: Snow stops cricket games in Nuristan province

By Noor Ahmad Noori

In Afghanistan's eastern province of Nuristan, cricket matches have been cancelled because of the heavy snow that has fallen there, according to Hayatullah Nuristani, the province's cricket board manager. However, a tournament is being planned after the snow ends, added Nuristani.

Nuristani also added that there are 5 local cricket teams in Nuristan, and that, they are looking to get a cricket field and have even reached out to the provincial governor to help make this happen.

-- Edited by Abdullah Qazi

January 26, 2012: Big football tournament in Herat

By Noor Ahmad Noori

Ziaul Haq Zia, the Deputy Sports Director in Herat province, said that a big football (soccer) tournament is currently in progress in the province. He said that a total of 64 teams are expected to participate in the event. At the end of the tournament, 16 teams will be selected to be part of the "Best League", 24 for the "First League" and 24 for the "Second League", Zia added. On the first day of the tournament, Abu Muslim took on Meelad and won 2-1.

-- Edited by Abdullah Qazi

January 25, 2012: Cricket in Zabul province

By Noor Ahmad Noori

In Afghanistan's southern province of Zabul, local cricket officials say that the youth in the province are interested in playing cricket, however, they don't have an adequate field for them to play on.

The provincial cricket board manager, Allah Noor Azizi, said that the players actually use a football (soccer) field instead. Azizi said that they have escalated the issue all the way up to the provincial governor, Mohammad Ashraf Nasari, and have asked him to provide them with an adequate cricket field. According to Azizi, the governor has promised them land for the cricket field, but he has yet to deliver on this promise.

Azizi had good words to say about the national cricket board, and has met with their top management. According to him, they have promised to give him their full support in helping to develop the sport in the province.

Azizi said that there are currently 21 cricket teams in the province, and 3 of them are junior level teams.

-- Edited by Abdullah Qazi

January 25, 2012: Friendly junior level football matches held  in Herat and Helmand

By Noor Ahmad Noori

Ziaul Haq Zia, the Deputy Sports Director in Herat province's Sports Department, said that a junior level football (soccer) tournament is currently underway in the province. So far, 3 matches have occurred. In the first match, Asteqlal defeated Pamir 2-0. Then in the second match, Kahkasan defeated Razi 2-1, and in the third match, Afghan defeated Maiwand 2-1.

Yesterday, in Afghanistan's southern province of Helmand, a junior level football match was held between two local teams, Azad and Khpalwak. Azad defeated Khpalwak 1-0. Sports officials in the province use events like this to advice the youth in the province on the importance of an education, living a good life, and staying way from violence and drugs. Currently, the students are off on 10 days vacation after completing their quarterly exams.

-- Edited by Abdullah Qazi

January 24, 2012: Afghanistan held its first-ever snow rugby game

Afghanistan's Rugby Federation (ARF) put together the first-ever snow rugby game today at the Golf Ground at Qargha, in Kabul. Two rugby teams in Afghanistan helped to make this history. Kabul United played against Rahmani Club and defeated them 24 to 5.

Snow rugby is a type of rugby that is played in winter conditions, particularly in deep snow. Normally, the game is played in such places as Canada, Latvia, and South America. ARF officials said that the players today played on 50 cm of snow.

January 24, 2012: Helmand: Winter Cricket Tournament Update

Mohammad Tahir Abshar
Photo by: Noor Ahmad Noori

By Noor Ahmad Noori

Mohammad Tahir Abshar, the cricket board manager in Helmand province, said that in the ongoing winter cricket tournament, so far, only 3 matches have been played because of the recent rainy weather. The following matches have occurred:

Hewad Cricket Club vs. Sitara Cricket Club
Hewad made 165 runs and Sitara made only 120 runs.

Achekzai vs. Al Noor Cricket Club
Al Noor made 124 runs and Achekzai made only 114 runs.

Bakhtar vs. Itehaad Cricket Club
Bakhtar made 116 runs and Itehaad outscored them and made 129 runs.

-- Edited by Abdullah Qazi

January 23, 2012: ANA winter sports tournament underway in Kandahar province

By Noor Ahmad Noori

The 205 Attal Qule Urdu Afghan National Army (ANA) in the southern province of Kandahar has begun a winter sports tournament, according to a report yesterday from the Taand News Agency. According to the report, the tournament is being held in the sports ground of the 205 Attal ANA forces. Events will be held in volleyball, football, cricket, running, Taekwondo, chess and stone throwing, the report added.

-- Edited by Abdullah Qazi

January 23, 2012: Kabul cricket team in Kunar

By Noor Ahmad Noori

Salaam Watandar radio reported today that a cricket team from Kabul recently went to the eastern province of Kunar on an invitation from the Kunar Cricket Board to play against different local teams from Kunar. The invitation was sent so that the players can improve their skills as well as enhance their friendships. The Kabul cricket team participated in 5 matches with various different local teams from Kunar province, according to the Salaam Watandar report. In the last day of a 20 overs match, the Kunar cricket team made 204 runs in 20 overs. The Kabul team only scored 77 runs in 20 overs, thus losing to the team from Kunar.

-- Edited by Abdullah Qazi

January 22, 2012: Winter cricket tournament underway in Helmand

Photo by: Noor Ahmad Noori

By Noor Ahmad Noori

The winter cricket tournament started on Friday in Afghanistan's southern province of Helmand. Mohammad Tahir Abshar, the cricket board manager in Helmand, said that the event will last for 3 weeks, and that 9 A level teams are participating in the event. Abshar said that the event is being held to further develop the sport, improve the skills of the local players, and to choose the best players for upcoming provincial tournaments. He said that the 9 teams are divided into 3 groups. Each group will play 2 matches amongst themselves, and eventually the winners of the groups will face off until the winning team is selected.

-- Edited by Abdullah Qazi

January 19, 2012: Winter volleyball tournament started in Helmand

By Noor Ahmad Noori

Sports officials in Afghanistan's southern province of Helmand announced that the winter season volleyball tournament has begun. The Sports Director in the province, Ismatullah Muslim, said that the tournament will last for one month and that eight local teams are participating in the tournament. He added that four tournaments of this nature are held every year.

-- Edited by Abdullah Qazi

January 19, 2012: Helmand: Azad and Bost football match ends in a draw

Photo by: Noor Ahmad Noori

By Noor Ahmad Noori

In the ongoing winter football (soccer) tournament currently being held in Afghanistan's southern province of Helmand, Azad took on Bost. According to Ismatullah Muslim, the Director of Sports in the province, both teams played very well. Muslim said that the match ended in a 1-1 draw.

-- Edited by Abdullah Qazi

January 19, 2012: Cricket tournament held in Oruzgan province

Photo by: Noor Ahmad Noori

By Noor Ahmad Noori

A six-day 20 overs cricket tournament has concluded in Afghanistan's southern province of Oruzgan. According to the Provincial Media Office of Oruzgan, it was the first cricket tournament held in the province by the provincial sports department.

A press release issued stated that six cricket teams from around the province participated in tournament. In the final day of the tournament, the Oruzgan cricket club gave a 75 run target to the Azizi Bank cricket club. Azizi Bank reached the target in 12 overs and won the match.

It was also stated in the press release that Mohammad Omar Sherzad, the provincial governor, had said that they will soon construct a new sports ground in the province .

-- Edited by Abdullah Qazi

January 16, 2012: Sherzai defeats Sharwaali in local football match

Photo by: Noor Ahmad Noori

By Noor Ahmad Noori

Momtaz Ahmad, Helmand province's acting deputy sports chief, said that a football match was held yesterday between two local teams, Sherzai and Sharwaali. Ahmad added that Sherzai defeated Sharwaali 2-1.

-- Edited by Abdullah Qazi

January 14, 2012: Khyber cricket club defeats Azad cricket club

Khyber and Azad cricket clubs
Photo by: Noor Ahmad Noori

By Noor Ahmad Noori

The Khyber cricket club won a one-day 20-overs friendly cricket match against the Azad cricket club in Afghanistan's southern province of Helmand. The Khyber cricket club belongs to the Grishek District of Helmand province, which is almost 60 km away from Lashkar Gah, the capital of Helmand province. The Azad team is from Lashkar Gah city.

According to the Mohammad Tahir Abshar, the provincial cricket board manager, the Azad team elected to bat first. Azad made 181 runs and lost all wickets. Khyber reached the target in 13 overs and lost 2 wickets. The winner of the match was the Khyber cricket team.

Abshar said that the purpose of this match was to help further develop the cricket skills of the players, and to improve the relationships between the players from the different districts.

-- Edited by Abdullah Qazi

January 14, 2012: Winter football tournament has started in Helmand

Ismatullah Muslim and Abdul Razaq at the inauguration, cutting the ribbon.
Photo by: Noor Ahmad Noori

By Noor Ahmad Noori

The winter season football (soccer) tournament officially started on Friday in Afghanistan's southern province of Helmand, said Ismatullah Muslim, a sports official from the province. Ismatullah Muslim, the Director of Sports, Abdul Razaq, a football trainer, and other officials officially opened the winter season football tournament in a special ceremony. Each season a football tournament begins in the province, which makes four football tournaments a year in the province.

During the inauguration ceremony, Muslim said that the tournament will take one month and that 16 local teams are going to participate in the event. At the end, four players will be selected to participate in the upcoming zone tournaments.

The officials advised and requested that the players respect the rules, each other, and play hard to further develop the sport in the province.

-- Edited by Abdullah Qazi

January 14, 2012: Garmser beats Marjah in volleyball

By Noor Ahmad Noori

A one day volleyball match was held a few days ago in Afghanistan's southern province of Helmand between Garmser and Marjah districts. Garmser won the match. Ismatullah Muslim, the Sports Director in the province, said that the event was held to further develop the sport in the province, and to give fans of the sport an opportunity to watch a game.

-- Edited by Abdullah Qazi

January 8, 2012: Afghan martial arts practitioners honored and rewarded

Bahawi (left) and Nikpai (Right)

Yesterday, Afghanistan's Bakhtar News Agency reported that Afghanistan's Foreign Minister, Zalmai Rasul, had held a special event to celebrate the achievements of the Afghan martial arts practitioners, such as Nesar Ahmad Bahawi, Rohullah Nikpai, and Mahmud Haidari. He referred to them as ambassadors of peace, and said that they have brought honor to Afghanistan.

Today, the same news agency reported that land plots were present to two Taekwondo practitioners, Nesar Ahmad Bahawi and Rohullah Nikpai by Khalilullah Hotak, head of the Sultan Mahmud Ghaznawi residential townships in Ghazni province.

January 8, 2012: Setara cricket club beats Hewad cricket club

By Noor Ahmad Noori

The Setara cricket club won a 20 overs friendly cricket match against the Hewad cricket club yesterday in Afghanistan's southern province of Helmand. According to the provincial cricket board manager, Mohammad Tahir Abshar, Setara made 206 runs and lost five wickets. The Hewad cricket club only made 183 runs in 20 overs and lost two wickets.

-- Edited by Abdullah Qazi

January 7, 2012: Change of plans for Afghan water polo team

Afghanistan's national water polo team was supposed to travel to the United States for their first international training trip, however, the team's plans have changed since their visas were rejected. Now, instead of the team going to the United States, a group of coaches from the United States and Germany will travel to Afghanistan from May through July 2012 to coach the team, and help grow the sport in the country.

The visas were rejected because of concerns that the players wouldn't return to Afghanistan after the visas expired. However, the visa for the lone female player has been approved and she will go the United States to train with various college teams. She will then return home to help start a national Afghan women's water polo team.

Afghanistan Water Polo, the governing body of water polo in Afghanistan, created to promote and develop the sport in the country, will be hosting a fundraising event on February 16, 2012 in Irvine, California. According to a press release form the organization, the event will include a catered dinner, silent auction, and a presentation about the progress of growing water polo in Afghanistan. The proceeds from the event will fund the coaches’ trip to Afghanistan in May and to support grass roots water polo programs in Afghanistan..

January 7, 2012: Achekzai wins 20 overs friendly cricket match

Photo by: Noor Ahmad Noori

By Noor Ahmad Noori

Yesterday, Mohammad Tahir Abshar, the cricket board manager in the southern province of Helmand, said that a friendly 20 overs cricket match was played between two local cricket clubs, Achekzai and Al Noor. He said that the match was held to further develop the relationship amongst the different players. Achekzai batted first and gave Al Noor a 146 run target, losing 4 wickets in 20 overs. Al Noor cricket club only made 140 runs and lost 8 wickets, therefore, Achekzai won the match.

-- Edited by Abdullah Qazi

January 5, 2012: Helmandi cricket players to get training

Mohammad Tahir Abshar

By Noor Ahmad Noori

Mohammad Tahir Abshar, the provincial cricket board manager in Helmand province,  announced that the top management in Loba Sports Training Organization (LSTO) have decided to send trainers to Helmand province so that they can train local Helmandi cricket players. Training sessions will be held this month so that the local cricket players can improve their batting, bowling and fielding techniques. Abshar said that he appreciated LSTO's decision to help further develop the skills of the local cricket players.

-- Edited by Abdullah Qazi

January 5, 2012: Omaid beats Azad in local cricket match

By Noor Ahmad Noori

Yesterday, on January 4th at 2 pm local time, a friendly one day cricket match was held between two local teams in Afghanistan's southern province of Helmand. Omaid took on Azad and won the match. Omaid scored 160 runs in 20 overs, losing all wickets. Azad only made 150 runs in 19 overs, losing all wickets. The man of the match honors when to Ahmad Shah from the Omaid team for completing a half century.

-- Edited by Abdullah Qazi

January 5, 2012: Local football match ends in a draw

Photo by: Noor Ahmad Noori

By Noor Ahmad Noori

A one day friendly football (soccer) match was held between two local teams on Tuesday, January 3rd, in Afghanistan's southern province of Helmand. Acting Deputy Chief of Sports, Momtaz Ahmad, said that the match between team Azad and team Afghan ended in a 1-1 draw. He said that the match was held to further develop the relationship amongst the different football players.

-- Edited by Abdullah Qazi

January 2, 2012: Setarah defeats Itehadd cricket club

Photo by: Noor Ahmad Noori

By Noor Ahmad Noori

In a one day 20-overs friendly cricket match held in Afghanistan's southern province of Helmand, Setarah cricket club defeated Itehaad cricket cricket club. Mohammad Tahir Abshar, the provincial cricket board manager, said that Itehaad gave a 150 run target to the Setarah club. The Setarah club only made 145 runs in 19 overs and lost all wickets. Therefore, the winner of the match was the Itehaad cricket club.

-- Edited by Abdullah Qazi

January 1, 2012: Kabir Khan back as coach

Kabir Khan has been reappointed as the coach of Afghanistan's national cricket team, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) told the media yesterday. Khan, a Pakistani national, was originally appointed as the national team's coach in 2009, but resigned last year due to conflicts with the ACB. Khan has been coaching the United Arab Emirates team since he had resigned last year.

January 1, 2012: Achekzai beats Jahani cricket club

Photo by: Noor Ahmad Noori

By Noor Ahmad Noori

A twenty-overs cricket match was played between Achekzai and Jahani cricket clubs in the southern province of Helmand. Mohammad Tahir Abshar, the provincial cricket board Manager reported that Jahani won the coin toss and batted first. Jahani made 174 runs and lost all wickets. Achekzai made 174 in 19 overs and lost 7 wickets. The winner of the match was Achekzai cricket club.

-- Edited by Abdullah Qazi