Anticipation is steadily building across Afghanistan as the Ariana Snooker Championship prepares to return to Kabul next month, with growing audience interest turning the tournament into one of the country’s most eagerly awaited sporting events.

Following the success of last year’s inaugural edition, which drew strong nationwide viewership, this year’s championship is already generating buzz among fans, players, and organizers alike.

Many viewers are expected to once again tune in from homes across the country, reflecting the rising popularity of snooker as a form of accessible and engaging entertainment.

Growing audience at home

Snooker has carved out a unique space in Afghan households, where televised matches look set to become a regular fixture for families and young fans. With limited access to large-scale live sporting events, the ability to watch high-level competition from home has helped fuel the sport’s appeal.

Broadcasters say last year’s tournament exceeded expectations in terms of audience engagement, with viewers following matches daily and discussing key moments across social circles and online platforms.

That momentum appears to be continuing, with early signs suggesting even higher viewership for the upcoming edition.

Building on growing appeal

Last year’s Ariana Snooker Championship marked a turning point for the sport in Afghanistan, showcasing local talent on a national stage and introducing a professionally produced tournament format.

The competition not only highlighted skilled players but also demonstrated the potential for snooker to attract a dedicated following, paving the way for its expansion as a mainstream sport.

Organizers are now aiming to build on that success by delivering a more competitive and widely watched tournament this year.

The growing excitement surrounding the championship reflects a broader trend: snooker is rapidly gaining ground in Afghanistan, particularly among younger players and audiences.

For many fans, the Ariana Snooker Championship represents more than just a tournament — it is an opportunity to connect with a sport that is increasingly becoming part of everyday life.

Looking Ahead

As the countdown to the championship continues, expectations are rising for another high-quality competition that captures the attention of viewers nationwide.

To kick-start the event, officials from Ariana Radio and Television Network (ATN) are gearing up to sign the official production and broadcast agreement with the Afghanistan Billiards and Snooker Federation.

The official signing ceremony will take place on Thursday, April 9, 2026, at 2:00 pm in Kabul and will be broadcast live and exclusively on Ariana Radio and Television Network (ATN), as well as on Ariana Sport’s Facebook and YouTube platforms.

The second edition of the competition will run from May 11 to May 22, 2026, over a 10-day period across two weeks. Matches will be broadcast live and exclusively on Ariana Television daily from 13:00 to 18:00.

Around 60 male players from across the country—including teenagers, young adults and experienced competitors—are expected to take part.

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) of Afghanistan, in cooperation with international partners, has stepped up emergency response efforts following recent heavy rains, floods and other natural disasters that have caused widespread loss of life, injury and property damage across the country.

In Kandahar province, the NDMA, under a memorandum of understanding with Save the Children, distributed food and non‑food assistance to 109 families whose homes were damaged by recent floods and heavy rain.

With financial and technical support from IOM, WFP, CHA, UNHCR, UNFPA and Save the Children, aid packages were provided following detailed surveys. Items delivered included mattresses, food packages, health and hygiene kits and tents.

The Kandahar NDMA stated that supporting disaster‑affected families remains a core responsibility and expressed gratitude for ongoing humanitarian cooperation.

Afghanistan has been hit by intense rainfall and extreme weather over the past week, triggering flash floods, landslides and damage in multiple provinces. According to the NDMA, more than 110 people have died, at least 160 were injured, and seven others were reported missing due to these conditions over the past 11 days.

The flooding has caused extensive destruction, including the complete loss of nearly 1,000 homes, partial damage to over 4,000 houses, and flooding of more than 15,000 acres of farmland.

Roads, irrigation systems and critical infrastructure have also been damaged, disrupting travel and access to essential services.

In Nangarhar province, heavy rains caused the collapse of mud‑brick house roofs, killing at least five people and injuring others, underscoring the vulnerability of rural housing in Afghanistan’s remote areas.

Nationwide impact and weather risks

The NDMA released video updates explaining casualty figures and showing the scale of damage from recent natural disasters nationwide, including impacts from extreme weather over the past 24 hours. The authority continues to monitor conditions and coordinate response efforts.

Meteorological and agriculture agencies have noted that ongoing rainfall could benefit spring crops but also heightens the risk of further flooding in vulnerable regions. The FAO has warned that while increased moisture supports agriculture, heavy precipitation raises flood risks, particularly in urban and rural flood‑prone areas.

Other Natural Disasters

In addition to flooding, a 5.8‑magnitude earthquake struck the Hindu Kush region on April 3, killing at least 8–12 people and injuring several more. Homes were damaged in multiple provinces, demonstrating Afghanistan’s exposure to seismic hazards.

The NDMA continues to issue warnings and advisories to residents across several provinces to stay away from rivers and flood‑prone zones as unstable weather persists. Emergency teams, together with national and international partners, are conducting ongoing assessments to guide further relief efforts and damage mitigation.

In a significant diplomatic development, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a telephone conversation on Wednesday afternoon with Masoud Pezeshkian, the president of Iran, ahead of scheduled negotiations between Tehran and Washington in Islamabad later this week.

The call, described as “warm and cordial” and lasting more than 45 minutes, highlighted Pakistan’s role in helping secure a temporary ceasefire between the United States and Iran, following weeks of rising regional tensions.

During the conversation, Sharif expressed deep appreciation for the Iranian leadership’s wisdom in agreeing to the ceasefire and thanked Pezeshkian for accepting Pakistan’s offer to host the negotiations. He also conveyed his respects to Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei.

Pezeshkian, in turn, thanked Sharif and praised Pakistan’s efforts in mediating the ceasefire. He confirmed that Iran would participate in the upcoming talks and sent best wishes to the people of Pakistan. Both leaders agreed to remain in close contact.

The Islamabad-hosted negotiations follow a two-week ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran, aimed at preventing further escalation and stabilizing the region.

Pakistan has actively called for an end to hostilities, citing economic disruptions and security concerns. Tehran has agreed to ensure safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz for commercial shipping during the ceasefire.

International observers see the Islamabad talks as a critical opportunity to transform a temporary pause into a lasting settlement.

While global leaders have cautiously welcomed the ceasefire, they stress that sustained diplomacy will be necessary to achieve long-term peace. Analysts note that significant hurdles remain, and the outcome of the talks will have broad implications for regional stability and global markets.