Afghan Premier League - a huge success in the war-torn country

18 October, 2012

Afghan football players were seen representing their respective clubs in the first ever Afghan Premier League, which has been highly entertaining for football fans in the war-torn country.

THE ONGOING Afghan Premier League has been a huge success as fans have been queuing up big time to watch the game. The APL is the first fully professional football league, where a number of teams participated. Now, the competition has moved into the business end with the final to be played this Friday, October 19.

Jalil Ahmad Qarizada, a football player from Harirod team, said in this AFP video, “It (APL) is really a special feeling for us that a football competition of international standard is held in Afghanistan.”

The standard of these footballers may not be top notch, but their skills on the ball are quite impressive. A lot of hard work went through in order to organise the competition. Said Shafir Gawari, Commissioner, Afghan Premier League said: “Afghans are familiar with Messi and several other European players. We also want to show the talent of the Afghan players.”

The matches are being aired live on national TV, which makes these players a popular figure in their own country at least. This is definitely going to help the sport grow in the region and help produce players who are fit to play for top football clubs around the world.

Those fans who came for the game have been seen enjoying the APL and supporting their clubs passionately. Abdul Hasib, a football lover in Afghanistan was very ecstatic about the championship. “It is for the first time in our country that a team from a provincial tournament is taking part in the competition and it is our job to support them,” Hasib said.

Such kind of tournaments are only going to help improve the condition of people in Afghanistan, who have been disturbed by the extremism for a long time now.