Sport

Afghanistan Champions League kicks off with grand opening ceremony

Published

2 years ago

April 20, 2024

Last Updated on: April 21, 2024

The third edition of the exciting Afghanistan Champions League (ACL) football tournament got underway in Kabul on Saturday, with an impressive opening ceremony that was attended by officials, players and fans.

Attending the opening ceremony at the Afghanistan Football Federation stadium, officials, wearing traditional Chapan coats, praised players, including foreign players.

“Athletes represent the will of a nation. Today, it is our athletes who have been able to win great honors for their country on international grounds,” said Mohammad Yusuf Kargar, President of the Afghanistan Football Federation.

Kargar also raised the issue of security, stating players in the past had been drawn from a small pool, while today, with improved security, foreign players are also now able to play in the league.

“We have a different league today than the previous leagues, as there was no nationwide security in Afghanistan during the last 40 years,” Kakar said.

“Fortunately, with this nationwide security, today foreign players are present in the squads of football teams in Afghanistan. Players from Africa, Iran and Pakistan are included in the football squads in Afghanistan.”

Officials said that Afghanistan has great achievements in sports, and that the Islamic Emirate will continue to develop it.

“The victory of the Afghanistan national football team against India was an important achievement in the field of sports. Allah willing, we will try to take more steps in the field of sports to develop sports. We will expand sports from the center to the provinces and districts and make sports widespread,” said Ahmadullah Wasiq, the general director of physical education and sports.

The league is produced and broadcast by Ariana Television Network (ATN).

“Our goal is for football to grow in Afghanistan and for our national champions to achieve more and represent Afghanistan well,” said Lutfullah Stanikzai, Deputy MD, and Director of Sales and Acquisitions at Ariana Television Network

Shortly after the opening ceremony, the first match of ACL started, with Abu Muslim facing Sarsabz Yashlar.

Abu Muslim clinched a 2-0 victory.

Related Topics:#ACl AFF featured Football Sports

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Afghanistan beat Ireland by 3 wickets in third ODI

Published

2 hours ago

August 10, 2026

Ariana News

Afghanistan’s national cricket team defeated Ireland by three wickets on Monday in the third ODI of the five-match series in Belfast.

Afghanistan won the toss and elected to bowl first.

Ireland were bowled out for 206 runs in 46.3 overs, setting Afghanistan a target of 207 runs.

Rashid Khan and Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar claimed three wickets each for Afghanistan.

Afghanistan’s batters then produced a solid performance in the second innings, chasing down the target for the loss of seven wickets in 44.5 overs.

Afghanistan had also won the second match by 92 runs.

The fourth match between the two teams will be played on Wednesday, August 12, in Belfast, Ireland.

Fans can watch the fourth match live and exclusively in Afghanistan on Ariana Television.

Sport

Sorkh Poshan Khawafi lead Afghanistan U17 Champions League after week six

Published

7 hours ago

August 10, 2026

Ariana News

Sorkh Poshan Khawafi are leading the Afghanistan Champions League U17 standings after week six, having collected 15 points from six matches.

According to the latest standings released by the Afghanistan Football Federation, Sorkh Poshan Khawafi have won five of their six matches and suffered one defeat. They have scored 22 goals and conceded just two, giving them a +20 goal difference.

Sarsabz Yashlar sit second with 14 points, following four wins and two draws, while Aino Mina are third, also on 14 points but with an inferior goal difference.

Arman FC are fourth with 12 points, followed by Khurasan Faryab with 10 points and Toofan Herat with eight.

In the lower half of the table, Ettifaq Khanzadah have six points, Abu Muslim FC have five, while Jawanan Perozi and Istiqlal Kabul are yet to earn a point after six matches.

Istiqlal Kabul have conceded 35 goals, the most in the competition so far, while Sorkh Poshan Khawafi have the tournament’s strongest attack with 22 goals.

The Afghanistan Champions League U17 is being contested by 10 teams and is being held at the Afghanistan Football Federation Stadium in Kabul.

Sport

Abasin Defenders stun Kabul Zalmi in Kabul Premier League

Published

12 hours ago

August 10, 2026

Ariana News

Abasin Defenders produced a dominant bowling performance to defeat Kabul Zalmi in the second match of the Kabul Premier League on Saturday, August 8, at the Ayoubi Cricket Ground in Kabul.

Kabul Zalmi won the toss and elected to bat first, but their innings quickly unravelled as Abasin Defenders’ bowlers struck regularly.

Kabul Zalmi were bowled out for 63 in 7.2 overs, leaving Abasin Defenders with a modest target to chase.

Sediqullah Pacha was the standout performer for Abasin Defenders, claiming the Player of the Match award for his match-winning bowling performance.

Abasin Defenders chased down the target comfortably to secure a convincing victory and get their Kabul Premier League campaign off to a winning start.

The result followed the opening match of the tournament earlier on Saturday, when Pamir Stars defeated Shamshad Eagles by 116 runs.

The Kabul Premier League features six teams — Pamir Stars, Shamshad Eagles, Kabul Zalmi, Speenghar Warriors, Abasin Defenders and Band-e-Amir — competing in the 2026 tournament.

All matches are being broadcast live and exclusively on Ariana Television, allowing cricket fans across Afghanistan to follow the competition.