The Greco-Roman wrestling competition at the 6th Islamic Solidarity Games 2025 began on Tuesday, November 18 in Riyadh, with athletes from Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Egypt securing the first gold medals of the tournament.

Medals across five weight categories were decided on the opening day, which delivered several unexpected moments. One of the biggest surprises came in the 77 kg division, where Uzbekistan’s Aram Vardanyan was expected to compete but was replaced at the last minute by Abdullo Aliyev. Aliyev went on to claim a bronze medal.

The tournament will continue in the Saudi capital until November 21.

Day One Results – Greco-Roman Wrestling (Islamic Games 2025)

60 kg
Gold: Alisher Ganiyev (Uzbekistan)
Silver: Ekrem Oztürk (Turkey)
Bronze: Ali Ahmadi Vafa (Iran), Sajad Albidhan (Iraq)

67 kg
Gold: Seyyed Esmaili Leyvesi (Iran)
Silver: Hasrat Jafarov (Azerbaijan)
Bronze: Razzak Beyshekeev (Kyrgyzstan), Aytzhan Khalmakhanov (Uzbekistan)

77 kg
Gold: Akzhol Makhmudov (Kyrgyzstan)
Silver: Amir Abdi (Iran)
Bronze: Shahin Badagimorfad (Qatar), Abdullo Aliyev (Uzbekistan)

87 kg
Gold: Gholamreza Farokhisenjani (Iran)
Silver: Islam Evloev (Kazakhstan)
Bronze: Sid Azara Bachir (Algeria), Asan Zhanyshov (Kyrgyzstan)

130 kg
Gold: Abdellatif Mohamed (Egypt)
Silver: Fatih Bozkurt (Turkey)
Bronze: Fardin Hedayati (Iran)

In another highlight from the broader Games program, weightlifter Gor Minasyan, competing for Bahrain, won gold and was crowned Islamic Games champion in his category.

Afghan snooker players Mohammad Rais Hotak and Mohammad Mir Noorzai have advanced to the Round of 32 at the 2025 Snooker and Billiards World Championship, held in Muscat, Oman.

Both players delivered a commanding performance, defeating their Omani opponents with a 3–0 scoreline.

The Afghan delegation includes three athletes, one coach, and an accompanying team representing the country in the prestigious international event.

The 2025 World Championship, hosted by Oman, runs from November 15 to 23 and features competitors from over 30 countries around the world.

The victories of Rais Hotak and Mir Noorzai mark a significant milestone for Afghan snooker and billiards, highlighting the growing talent and development of specialized sports in Afghanistan.

The ninth edition of the Abu Dhabi T10 League is set to light up Zayed Cricket Stadium from November 18 to 30, 2025, with eight franchises competing in what has become one of the fastest-growing short-format cricket tournaments in the world.

This year’s event boasts some of the biggest names in international cricket — led by Harbhajan Singh and Piyush Chawla — promising high-intensity action over 12 days.

Ariana Television Network (ATN) has secured the exclusive rights to broadcast the tournament live across Afghanistan, ensuring fans nationwide can watch every match, highlight, and star performance on Ariana Television. With cricket enjoying a massive following in Afghanistan, ATN’s coverage is expected to attract millions of viewers throughout the event.

The competition features a powerful roster of global talent:

Harbhajan Singh headlines the Aspin Stallions, marking the franchise’s debut season.

Piyush Chawla brings World Cup–winning experience to the Ajman Titans.

Power-hitters Andre Russell, Kieron Pollard, Shimron Hetmyer, Faf du Plessis, Moeen Ali, and Nicholas Pooran add world-class firepower across the teams.

Franchises have blended veteran stars with emerging players to elevate the league’s competitiveness.

Team Highlights

Ajman Titans have reinforced their squad with Piyush Chawla, Moeen Ali, Rilee Rossouw, and Alex Hales.

Aspin Stallions, newcomers to the league, feature Harbhajan Singh, Sam Billings, Tymal Mills, and Andre Fletcher.

Deccan Gladiators boast one of the strongest lineups with Nicholas Pooran, Andre Russell, Marcus Stoinis, and David Wiese.

UAE Bulls, captained by Kieron Pollard and Sunil Narine, field one of the most explosive batting units this season.

Northern Warriors remain title contenders with Shimron Hetmyer, Trent Boult, Tabraiz Shamsi, and Dinesh Chandimal.

Quetta Qavalry, another debut side, bring together Liam Livingstone, Jason Holder, Sikandar Raza, and Imran Tahir.

Royal Champs include Jason Roy, Angelo Mathews, Shakib Al Hasan, and Chris Jordan.

Vista Riders, powered by Faf du Plessis and Matthew Wade, have S. Sreesanth leading their bowling attack.

Growing Global Appeal

The Abu Dhabi T10 has grown rapidly since its inception, drawing international attention for its fast-paced format and ability to attract elite talent. With Afghanistan’s strong cricket fanbase, ATN’s exclusive broadcast is expected to significantly expand the tournament’s viewership. This is the second consecutive year that ATN is broadcasting the event – after its successful initiative in 2024.

The full squads for all eight participating teams underline the depth and diversity of talent, setting the stage for another thrilling season of T10 cricket — all of it broadcast live and exclusively in Afghanistan on Ariana Television Network.

In addition to all the above mentioned foreign players, several stars from Afghanistan will also take part in this year’s event.

They are Azmatullah Omarzai; Fazalhaq Farooqi; Hazratullah Zazai; Mohammad Shahzad; Ziaur Rahman Sharifi; Sharafuddin Ashraf; Bilal Sami; Qais Ahmad; Izharulhaq Naveed; Wafiullah Tarakhil; Arab Gul Momand and Faridoon Dawoodza.