Javelin contest featuring 312 athletes concludes in Ghazni

GHAZNI CITY (Pajhwok): A javelin competition featuring 312 athletes from five provinces concluded in southern Ghazni province yesterday.

Sports and Physical Training Director Bilal Mujahid told Pajhwok Afghan News a three-day javelin tournament between 312 athletes was held in Ghazni with participants from Paktia, Paktika, central Maidan Wardak and Zabul provinces and ended yesterday (evening).

In this competition, 11 athletes from Paktika, two from Paktia, five from Zabul, one from Wardak and seven athletes from Ghazni provinces participated in the event, he added.

According to Mujahid, the competition was held at Ali Jan Sports Field in Andar district and Paktika teams won first, second and third positions.

These friendly matches were aimed at encouraging athletes, striking unity in their ranks and development of traditional games, Mujahid explained.

“We are trying to identify players for national and international javelin events and horse racing competitions”.

On the other hand, players are happy with holding these competitions.

Fateh Mohammad, an athlete, told Pajhwok these tournaments were important for motivation and coordination of athletes.

“We inherited this game from our ancestors, we wants this game expanded and standard arenas should be built so that we can run horses with confidence”.

Last month, a javelin competition was held in Ghazni between 17 teams from three provinces ---- Ghazni, Zabul and Paktika.

hz/ma