90 clubs vie in Kandahar football event

KANDAHAR CITY (PAN): Featuring 90 teams, a football tournament has begun at the Ahmad Shahi playground in Kandahar City, the capital of southern Kandahar province, in the memory of a slain mayor, an official said on Tuesday.

Named after former Kandahar Mayor Ghulam Haider Hamidi, the event got underway last night when three friendly matches were played after breaking the fast, sports official Agha told Pajhwok Afghan News.

He said three matches would be played each night, with first match beginning at 10pm, adding the tournament was aimed at indulging the youth in healthy activities and offering entertainment to citizens.

Mohammad Hakim Halimyar, who is associated with a Kandahar City football club called “Khayesta Kandahar”, told Pajhwok Afghan News the event provided a unique opportunity to footballers to play under power lights.

Thousands of youth flocked the ground last night when the tournament began. Resident Khalid Ahmad said the security situation in Kandahar City had improved and residents were able to visit sports grounds.

The affairs of Ahmad Shahi playground has been handed over the municipality, which takes 30 afghanis from each visitor. The municipality spokesman, Zamarai Sargand, said the money was used to maintain, preserve and develop the ground.

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