MAZAR-I-SHARIF (PAN): A newly-constructed cricket stadium was inaugurated in Mazar-i-Sharif, the capital of northern Balkh province, on Sunday, officials said.

The stadium has been built north of the city at a cost of $200,000 (9,588,000 afs) provided by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the cricket board director for the northern zone said

Dr. Noor Alam Farid told Pajhwok Afghan News the stadium -- spread over seven acres of land -- was equipped will all facilities. The project would meet players' requirements, he hoped.

Afghanistan Cricket Board Chief Executive Nasimullah Danish, who also took part in the inaugural ceremony, said they had done their best to construct the stadium in accordance with international standards.  

He added the facility would host cricket tournaments to promote the game in the north, where training centers were being set up in eight provinces.

mrh/ma/mud