Afghan horsemen from all over Afghanistan gathered in Kabul’s suburbs for the dramatic finale of the prestigious annual buzkashi competition, which attracted high-ranking Taliban officials who had witnessed this 2,000-year-old sport custom.
To win points, elite riders must carry a leather-wrapped bundle across a designated goal line, which is currently Afghanistan’s national equestrian competition, Buzkashi.
A winner ultimately prevailed amid swirling dust clouds and galloping horses’ uphill battles. The winning team performed a triumphant parade around the field, proudly waving their triumphant flag.
The cherished buzkashi tournament in Afghanistan continues to be regarded as a traditional sport with strict formal guidelines and fierce physical competition.
Two teams compete to score using what was once a goat carcass in the traditional game, but modern matches use a leather-and-rope substitute made of straw to resemble an animal’s weight.
Competitors show extraordinary horsemanship when 12 riders stand on opposite sides and stretch dangerously from their mounts to retrieve the bundle before pursuing the goal with opposing riders.
Although the Taliban’s previous rule in the 1990s was stifled, the Taliban’s revival has persisted since their assassination in 2021, with government officials now holding competitions.
Northern Sar-e-Pul province won the championship game this week, bringing the 11-day national championship to a close with a dominant 7-0 victory over northeastern Badakhshan. Kunduz placed fourth among the 11 provincial teams competing, while Baklan placed third.
According to Atal Mashwani, spokesman for Afghanistan’s General Directorate of Physical Education and Sports, there were eight international competitors from Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan competing.
The tournament was supported by a petrol company through corporate sponsorship, which included prizes for the top four teams as well as medals, certificates, and trophy donations.
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Source: Aljazeera
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