Football tournament begins in Helmand

LAKHARGAH (PAN): A 10-day football tournament aimed at promoting peace was underway in southern Helmand province, with Helmand beating Farah 4:3 in the opener, an official said on Thursday.

Five clubs from southern and western provinces — Kandahar, Ghazni, Farah, Nimroz and Helmand — are taking part in the event that kicked off a day earlier at the Karzai Stadium, the provincial Olympic committee head, Idrees Alizai, said.

A team from Helmand called Popal beat Farah team 4:3 in front of nearly 2,000 spectators, he said, adding the tournament was aimed at providing Helmand residents with an opportunity of entertainment and sending out the message of peace across the country.

myn/ma