2-day horse racing contest begins in Kabul

KABUL (Pajhwok): A two-day horse racing contest featuring horse drivers from 12 provinces kicked off in Kabul on Thursday.

Horse riders from Kabul, Logar, Paktia, Paktika, Khost, Maidan Wardak, Ghazni, Nangarhar, Laghman, Kunar, Kapisa and Parwan are taking part in the contest.

At the event’s opening ceremony, National Olympic Committee and General Director of Sports Maulvi Ahmadullah Wasiq said that 25 athletes from 12 provinces were participating in the contest that would continue for two days.

He added that the National Olympic Committee was trying to promote traditional games throughout the country.

He assured all the athletes of supporting them within available resources.

Horse racing federation head Dad Mohammad Painda Akhtri said that the contest was the first stage of 1402 Khazana competition.

He added the event was aimed at finding best players and horses for the national team and to promote horse race in Afghanistan.

Ali Akbar, a participant told Pajhwok he had practiced for several months prior to the contest.

He asked the National Olympic Committee to pay attention to the promotion of horse racing and to cooperate with them in various aspects.

In the near future, a wrestling competition is due to start in Kabul.

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