Futsal contest featuring 32 squads kicks off in Helmand

LASHKARGAH (Pajhwok): In order to encourage youths towards sport, futsal tournament featuring 32 teams has launched in Lashkargah City, the capital of southern Helmand province, an official said on Friday.

Ghulam Yahya Pashton, director of Chamber of Commerce and Industry, during the opening ceremony of the event told Pajhwok Afghan News that the aim of the contest is to persuade youth to sport and represent Afghanistan in international tournaments in the future.

He said the other purpose of the tournament was to prevent youth from wasting their time or spending time on useless things.

Mohammad Nazar Achakzai, an organizer of the futsal tournament, said about 32 teams, including a squad from Lashkargah, participated in the tournament and each squad would play two matches in the first stage.

Fida Mohammad, a futsal player, said: “These matches are fruitful and it also improve sport events; and these kinds of tournament encourage youth to turn to sport instead of using drugs.”

Ehsanullah Amin, another futsal player, said: “My goal is to promote futsal in this province and new players take part in these competitions and find ways to play against other countries.”

Sa