Jawzjan: Gymnasium worth 50m afs inaugurated

SHIBERGHAN (Pajhwok): The first-ever sports gymnasium, with a capacity for 2,000 people, was inaugurated in Shiberghan, the capital of northern Jawzjan province on Thursday, an official said.

Jawzjan Olympic Committee Director Mohammad Sidiq Fayez told the inauguration ceremony the Presidential Operational Unit built the gymnasium on one acre of land at a cost of 50 million afghanis.

Equipped with all necessary facilities, the gymnasium had a capacity for 2,000 people, Fayez said, adding 15 of 21 active sports federations in Shiberghan would be able to use the gymnasium at a time.

“Undoubtedly, the promotion of sports can be imagined when there are good grounds. Up until now, athletes were deprived of having such a gymnasium,” he added.

The director said the Shiberghan Olympic Committee was considering an organised plan for sports federations to practice and conduct events with specific schedules.

Athletes, meanwhile, hailed the gymnasium as an important opportunity for the growth of sports but complained about lack of facilities.

Taekwondo Federation Director Mohammad Ismail hoped the gymnasium would play a vital role in popularising martial arts.

“Before this gymnasium was built, we would rent places or hotels for organising contests, but now we would be able to play matches at this gymnasium and also practice here.”

A female athlete, Nargis, said: “Despite the fact that a beautiful gymnasium has been built for us, we cannot afford to buy sports gear. I am a footballer and I live in a family that cannot afford to buy me sneakers or sports gear.”

She added their coach provided the football team with equipment to practice and requested the authorities to give female footballers the facilities needed to bring laurels to Jawzjan.

At the end of the ceremony male and female athletes of various federations exhibited their skills, winning applause from the audience.

hr/mud

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