PESHAWAR: Traditional Buzkashi competition has begun in Afghanistan’s Samangan province where thousands of people gathered to support of their respect teams.
The competition held in the vast plains of Samangan in which a Taliban commander also participated creating hope that unlike the past, the Taliban would not ban this culture sport.
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Buzkashi is a tradition sport that has been playing for centuries in Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan and other regional countries. This archaic game was banned during the previous Taliban government. Now there are fears that the Taliban would ban it again after coming to power. However, not only the Taliban fighters in Samangan attended the event after Friday prayers, but a local commander also took part in the competition. The winners in each round of Buzkashi competition were awarded cash prizes. The Taliban have not yet announced their official position on any sports, including Buzkashi.
In Buzkashi horse riders competing to left the freshly slaughtered goat. The riders must carry the carcass and take it to a specific place which is usually marked with circle. The carcass used in Buzkashi is usually slaughtered goat and its feet are cut off below the knees. The carcasses is soaked in cold water for about an hour before placing it on the ground. There are seven horse rides in each team.
This game is known as the cultural sport of the people of northern Afghanistan. On of the player said that he has been playing in Buzkushi for a long time. “Our father, grandfather used to play this game. Now we want the Taliban government to accept it as national game and provide it every possible support.” Buzkashi competitions are also held regularly in Balochistan’s Kuchlak area which attracts thousands of people.
