Thousands in Kabul attend Afghanistan's national buzkashi championship

"Buzkashi, Afghanistan's national equestrian competition, showcases elite riders who must carry a leather-wrapped bundle historically a goat carcass but now a weighted facsimile across a designated goal line to earn points. Amid swirling dust clouds kicked up by galloping horses, a victor ultimately prevailed. The winning team took a celebratory circuit around the field, proudly displaying their flag in triumph."

"In its classic format, two teams compete to score using what was traditionally a goat carcass, though contemporary matches utilise a leather-and-rope substitute filled with straw to replicate the weight of an animal. Competitors with 12 riders on each side demonstrate extraordinary horsemanship, stretching dangerously from their mounts to retrieve the bundle from the ground before racing towards the goal while pursued by opposing riders."

"Taliban authorities attend traditional sport characterised by limited formal rules and fierce physical competition. Horsemen from across Afghanistan converged for the dramatic final match of the nation's prestigious annual buzkashi tournament on Kabul's outskirts, attracting crowds that included high-ranking Taliban officials witnessing this centuries-old sporting tradition. Though prohibited during the Taliban's earlier governance in the 1990s, buzkashi experienced a revival following their removal and has continued since their return to power in 2021, with government officials now attending competitions."

Taliban authorities attended the dramatic final of Afghanistan's annual buzkashi tournament on Kabul's outskirts, drawing large crowds. Horsemen from across provinces competed in the 11-day national championship using a leather-and-rope substitute filled with straw to emulate a goat carcass. Two teams of 12 riders each contested play, demonstrating dangerous, high-skill horsemanship as riders stretched from mounts to seize the bundle and race to goal. Northern Sar-e-Pul overwhelmed northeastern Badakhshan 7-0 to win the tournament. Baghlan finished third and Kunduz fourth among 11 provincial teams. Eight international participants from Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan took part.

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