The Ariana Snooker Championship 2025 kicked off in Afghanistan today, Tuesday February 11, with thrilling matches at the top level.

In the opening match, Afghanistan’s No. 1 ranking player Saleh Mohammad Mohammadi dominated the game, defeating Sahil Ebrahimi 4-1 to secure a spot in the next round.

The second match saw the country’s No. 2, Naweed Naderi, showcase his skills, effortlessly beating Iqbal Hasas 4-0.

Ali Ahmad followed suit, overcoming Mohammad Sadeq Mohammadi 4-2 in a well-fought contest.

The day’s final match saw Mohammad Rais Hotak deliver a commanding performance, dispatching Ali Sakhi with a 4-0 victory.

The week-long tournament, which runs from February 11 to 17, features the country’s top 16 snooker players who are competing for the prestigious title.

The matches will be broadcast live on Ariana Television in Afghanistan and will be live streamed on arianatelevision.com; Ariana Sport Facebook page and Ariana Sport YouTube Channel.

Match line up for Wednesday, February 12

ATN will start broadcasting the event live and exclusively from 3pm on Wednesday.

Match 1, 2, 3 and 4 took place on Tuesday.

Match 5 will see Zulmai Salamkhil play Ismail Mohammadi at 3pm.

Match 6 is between Ajmal Yousofzai and Haseebullah Sultani.

Match 7 will feature Mohammad Mir Noorzai and Ibrahim Mohammadi.

Match 8, the last in the group stage, will be between Nadir Khan Rohani and M. Usman Mohammadi.

Sports lovers across the country will be thrilled to hear that yet another exciting event will be broadcast live by Ariana Radio and Television Network (ATN) across the country from Tuesday, February 11.

This time it's the Ariana Snooker Championship.

As part of ATN’s commitment to the development of sport and the sport community in Afghanistan, the tournament will be played in Kabul. The tournament has been organized by ATN, in partnership with Afghanistan Billiards & Snooker Federation.

Sixteen of the country’s top snooker players will battle it out for the title in the week-long event.

The group stage will be played on Tuesday and Wednesday, with four matches each day. All players will then move on to the knockout stage, which will take place on Thursday and Friday this week.

The quarter finals are scheduled for Saturday, February 15, the semi-finals on Sunday. Capping the week off will be the finals, scheduled for Sunday, February 17.

Who is taking part

Among the players to look out for is Saleh Mohammadi, who at 53 years of age, is ranked number 1 in the country.

This right-handed player has been playing competitively since 1990 and has over 50 international tournaments under his belt.

Another heavyweight player to watch will be 35-year-old right hander Naweed Naderi who is ranked 2nd in the country.

At number 3 in the country is Ali Ahmad, who is also in the line up and will play in Match 3 on Tuesday. He is also a right handed player.

Tournament format

The group stage will see players competing in seven frames. The knockout stage and the quarter finals will both be nine frames; the semi-finals 11 frames, and the final will be 13 frames.

Players and Match lineup

ATN will start broadcasting the event live and exclusively from 3pm on Tuesday, Feb. 11 and Wednesday, Feb. 12.

Match 1: Tuesday - M. Saleh Mohammadi vs Sahel Ebrahimi. Match starts just after 3:00pm.

Match 2: Tuesday - M. Iqbal Hasas vs Naweed Naderi. Match starts at 4:25pm.
Match 3: Tuesday - Ali Ahmad vs M. Sadiq Mohammadi. Match starts at 5:35pm
Match 4: Tuesday - M. Rayees Hotak vs Ali Sakhi. Broadcast starts at 6:50pm
Match 5: Wednesday - Zulmai Salamkhil vs Ismail Mohammadi. Match starts at 3:00pm.
Match 6: Wednesday - Ajmal Yousofzai vs Haseebullah Sultani. Match starts at 4:25pm.
Match 7: Wednesday - Mohammad Mir Noorzai vs Ibrahim Mohammadi. Match starts at 5:35pm.
Match 8: Wednesday - Nadir Khan Rohani vs M. Usman Mohammadi. Match starts at 6:50pm.

See table below on viewing options available for fans.

For snooker fans across the country, be sure to follow Ariana Television and Ariana News’ social media platforms for the latest news on this exciting event.

Islamuddin Amiri, former captain of Afghanistan’s national football team, has announced that he will no longer participate in professional games.

“With much sadness but without regret, I realize that I am no longer able to adhere to the unwavering standard of excellence that professional football demands. I say this with a heavy heart: I am retiring from the football,” Amiri said on Facebook.

He added that his focus now is to become a “great coach.”

Amiri has mainly played as a defender on the football field and has 20 years of experience.