Sport

Afghanistan’s national buzkashi team set to compete in Kazakhstan

Published

6 months ago

March 12, 2026

Afghanistan’s national buzkashi team is set to participate in an international Kokpar tournament scheduled to take place in the city of Turkistan, in Kazakhstan this month.

According to the Afghanistan National Buzkashi Federation, the event will be held from March 15 to March 21, 2026, marking the revival of the tournament after a nine-year break.

The tournament will bring together teams from several countries where the traditional horse-mounted sport is widely played.

Participating nations are expected to include Afghanistan, China, Kazakhstan, Hungary, Mongolia, Uzbekistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Türkiye.

Buzkashi — known as Kokpar in Central Asia — is one of Afghanistan’s most iconic traditional sports. Played on horseback, riders compete to carry a goat carcass across the field and score points in a goal area.

The sport has deep cultural roots in Afghanistan and across the broader Central Asian region.

Afghanistan has historically been one of the strongest competitors in the sport, with skilled riders known for their endurance and horsemanship. The Afghan team previously participated in the same international tournament in Kazakhstan in 2017.

Officials say the upcoming competition provides an opportunity to showcase Afghanistan’s traditional sport on an international stage while strengthening sporting ties between countries that share a long history of equestrian culture.

Related Topics:Afghanistan ArianaNews Buzkashi featured Kazakhstan

Up Next

Afghanistan’s national buzkashi team travels to Kazakhstan for international tournament

Don't Miss

Afghanistan’s white-ball series against Sri Lanka postponed

Sport

Aino Mina edge Sarsabz Yashlar 1–0 in ACL match

Season 6 features 10 clubs competing in a home-and-away format, with the tournament running until November 21.

Published

2 hours ago

September 21, 2026

Ariana News

Aino Mina secured a narrow 1–0 victory over Sarsabz Yashlar Faryab in the second Afghanistan Champions League Roshan match of the day Monday.

Aino Mina claimed all three points after converting a penalty to score the only goal of the match.

Sarsabz Yashlar were unable to find an equaliser as Aino Mina held on for the win in a closely contested encounter.

The result adds another three points to Aino Mina’s campaign as the sixth season of the Afghanistan Champions League continues.

Aino Mina’s Ahlullah Darman was named Player of the Match.

Season 6 features 10 clubs competing in a home-and-away format, with the tournament running until November 21.

Ariana Television Network (ATN) is broadcasting all Afghanistan Champions League matches live and exclusively in Afghanistan.

Fans can follow ATN’s social media platforms for match schedules, results, updates and coverage throughout the season.

Sport

ACL: Ariana Khost continue impressive debut with 2–1 win over Istiqlal

Season 6 features 10 clubs competing in a home-and-away format, with the tournament running until November 21.

Published

6 hours ago

September 21, 2026

Ariana News

Ariana Khost continued their impressive debut campaign in the Afghanistan Champions League on Monday, September 21, with a 2–1 victory over Istiqlal Kabul.

Ariana Khost secured all three points in Match 16 of Season 6, and team member Habib Hotak was named Player of the Match for his stirling performance.

The result is another positive step for Ariana Khost, who are making their debut in the Afghanistan Champions League this year and have made a strong start to their first campaign.

For Istiqlal Kabul, the defeat leaves them still searching for their first points of the season.

Season 6 features 10 clubs competing in a home-and-away format, with the tournament running until November 21.

Ariana Television Network (ATN) is broadcasting all Afghanistan Champions League matches live and exclusively in Afghanistan. Fans can follow ATN’s social media platforms for match schedules, results, updates and coverage throughout the season.

Sport

Afghanistan to face Japan and Nepal in Asian Games cricket group stage

The team departed Kabul for Tokyo on Sunday.

Published

9 hours ago

September 21, 2026

Ariana News

Afghanistan cricket team will face Japan and Nepal in the group stage of the 2026 Asian Games in Japan.

Afghanistan has been drawn in Group A alongside Japan and Nepal. The Afghan team will play its first group-stage match against Japan on September 24 in Nisshin city, followed by a match against Nepal on September 25, also in Nisshin.

The other three teams competing in the group stage are Hong Kong China, Malaysia and Oman, who have been placed in Group B.

Meanwhile, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka have been directly seeded into the quarter-finals.

Afghanistan’s 15-member squad for the Asian Games is led by Darwish Rasooli as captain, with Mohammad Ishaq serving as wicketkeeper.

The squad includes Mohammad Akram, Hassan Eisakhil, Khalid Taniwal, Imran Mir, Faisal Khan Shinozada, Najibullah Zadran, Farmanullah Safi, Ismat Alam, Karim Janat, Nangyal Kharoti, Arab Gul Momand, Faridoon Dawoodzai and Abdullah Ahmadzai.

The team departed Kabul for Tokyo on Sunday.