To promote peace, judo competitions kick off in Takhar

TALOQAN (Pajhwok): Featuring athletes from 11 provinces, a day-long judo competitions started in northern Takhar province to promote the sport, select best players and create peace and friendship among ethnic groups, an official said on Sunday.

Rahmat Shah Mushkil, an official of the Afghanistan Judo Federation, said the competitions titled “Peace and Friendship” featured 200 athletes from Kabul, Kunduz, Baghlan, Takhar, Badakhshan, Balkh, Sar-i-Pul, Faryab, Herat and Paktia provinces.

He added the competitions were aimed at selecting best players, promoting judo sport and creating peace and friendship between different tribes.

He added the Afghanistan Judo Federation planned to hold similar competitions in all provinces and today’s competitions were being held in three weight categories 66kg, 81kg and 100kg.

Meanwhile, athletes said sports connected people and promoted peace, friendship, brotherhood and mutual acceptance among players.

Ahmadullah, an athlete, said: “Sports promote peace and friendship, we are very happy to participate in the competitions.”

Idrees Safi, one of the athletes from Kabul province, said: “Sports bring a message of peace and in this way, we promote mutual acceptance and peace among people, sports are also beneficial for health and everyone should exercise.”

The spectators also considered sports as a message of mutual acceptance and welcomed the holding of such competitions.

Haji ShamsulHaq, an influential figure, said that hundreds of spectators from different provinces had come to watch the judo competitions.

He emphasized on holding such competitions.

Javedullah, another spectator, said: “I am happy to see people from different provinces coming together in an atmosphere of peace and friendship to watch the games.”

kk/ma

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