Thousands Flock to Kabul for Afghanistan’s National Buzkashi Championship

Thousands of spectators gathered on the outskirts of Kabul to witness the final of Afghanistan’s prestigious national buzkashi championship, as horsemen from across the country competed in the dramatic culmination of the centuries-old sport. High-ranking Taliban officials were also among those attending the event.

Buzkashi, Afghanistan’s national equestrian game, features elite riders who battle to seize and carry a leather-wrapped bundle—traditionally a goat carcass, now replaced by a weighted substitute—across a marked goal line to score points. The matches are known for their minimal formal rules and intense physical competition.

Amid clouds of dust raised by galloping horses, one team ultimately emerged victorious, parading around the field with its flag in celebration. The spectacle highlighted the extraordinary skill of the riders, who lean perilously from their mounts to snatch the bundle from the ground before racing toward the goal under pursuit from rivals.

In its traditional format, buzkashi pits two teams of 12 riders against each other, using a leather-and-rope substitute filled with straw to replicate the weight of an animal in modern competitions. The sport, once banned during the Taliban’s rule in the 1990s, revived after their removal and has continued since their return to power in 2021, with officials now openly attending tournaments.

This year’s 11-day championship ended with a dominant 7–0 victory for northern Sar-e-Pul province over northeastern Badakhshan. Baghlan secured third place, while Kunduz finished fourth among the 11 provincial teams that took part.

According to Atal Mashwani, spokesman for Afghanistan’s General Directorate of Physical Education and Sports, the competition also featured eight international participants from Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. Corporate sponsorship from a petrol company funded the event, with automobiles awarded to the top four teams along with trophies, medals, and certificates.

The central Kabul venue was packed with male spectators, while eager fans climbed nearby trees and electricity pylons to catch a better view of the action, underscoring the enduring popularity of Afghanistan’s iconic national sport.