Footballers receive more cash awards in Balkh

MAZAR-I-SHARIF (PAN.

Afghanistan won the South Asian Football Federation title in Kathmandu earlier this month, beating India 2-0 to bring a rare moment of joy to the war-torn nation. The side received the latest cash rewards at a gathering in Mazar-i-Sharif.

The function was attended by national football team members, Afghanistan Olympic Committee officials, government officials, parliamentarians, provincial council members, tribal elders and youth.

Speaking on the occasion, Balkh governor Atta Mohammad Noor praised the team for bringing smile on the faces of Afghans after all those years of misery and conflict.

He said the team’s passion and spirit proved Afghan youth could make history and overcome every challenge if they maintained unity in their ranks and worked in unison.

Participants announced cash awards for the players.  Noor announced two million afghanis, Ghazanfar and Watan companies two million afghanis, provincial police 1.7 million, government officials and departments 1.2 million afs, Kamal Nabizada Co. 550,000 afs and Nasib Trade Company 500,000 afs.

Soon after the historic victory, President Karzai rewarded the nation’s football team with cash and free flats and piled extra gifts on their heroic goalkeeper.

ma/mud