Afghanistan Today - On the ball

On the ball

The inaugural Roshan Afghan Premier League was Afghanistan's first professional sports league for decades. More importantly, it gave hope to millions of young people across the country. AT editors present a snapshot from this week's final.

by Nick Allen & Alex Macbeth , Kabul , 14.10.2012

The Roshan Afghan Premier League final was hosted at the AFF stadium in Kabul on Friday October 19. Toofan Harirod from Herat in blue took on Simorgh Alborz in orange from northern Balkh Province.
(Photo: Alex Macbeth)

Fans of the eventual winners, Tofan Harirod, or the Harirod Storm, wave the Afghan flag at the game. According to event planners, the crowd numbering around 7,000 was thought to be the largest ever for a sports event held in Afghanistan.
(Photo: Alex Macbeth)

The inagural Roshan Premier League, co-sponsored by telecommunications firm Roshan and media giant Moby Group, was Afghanistan's first professional sports league. The league, which was formed of eight teams from eight different regions selected by viewer polls through a reality TV show, Green Fields, has captivated fans across the country.
(Photo: Nick Allen)

While cricket is traditionally the country's most popular sport, along with the horseback polo equivalent buzkashi, the Roshan APL has done much to propel football towards the top spot. Pictured is a billboard outside the Afghan Football Federation Stadium of the late commander and national hero Ahmad Shah Masood, who was himself partial to a kick about.
(Photo: Nick Allen)

Boys and girls from the Afghan Mobile Mini Children's Circus (MMCC) prepare to perform in the centre circle during the final's half time. Fifteen years ago in the neighbouring Ghazi Stadium the Taliban would execute and mutilate citizens for assorted crimes between halves.
(Photo: Nick Allen)

Scenes of violence in the name of justice no longer feature, although the volatile security situation means a heavy police presence at games. Here, Afghan National Police keep one eye on the crowd and the other on the final.
(Photo: Nick Allen)

The second half resumes with Toofan Harirod from Herat leading Simorgh Albarz from Balkh Province 2-0.
(Photo: Alex Macbeth)

While the APL players do not yet emulate the extreme primadonna behaviour of their millionaire western counterparts, some aspects have managed to transcend the boundaries. Here, the referee books a Simorgh Albarz player for simulated injury in the final.
(Photo: Alex Macbeth)

Despite the APL's initial success, attracting over 100,000 unique page views on its website in four weeks and large attendances at stadiums across the country, it will be a while before its popularity eclipses Europe's equivalent leagues. Pictured is a Toofan Harirod fan at the APL final wearing a Manchester United zip-up.
(Photo: Alex Macbeth)

Fawad, a contestant from this year's Afghan Idol TV talent show, prepares to perform live to the crowd after the Afghan Premier League Final in Kabul.
(Photo: Alex Macbeth)