War-hardened Afghans Discover A Brand New Sport: Rugby

Rugby has constructed up a small but loyal following in Afghanistan.

Thirty or so teenagers kick up dust as they sprint around a subject in Kabul, targeted intensely as they chase an oval ball in the sweltering heat.


The players are sweating profusely but that has not dampened their enthusiasm for their new-discovered sport: rugby.


Essentially unheard of earlier than the arrival of international forces, the sport has slowly begun to pick up steam in Afghanistan, the place soccer, cricket and physique-building are better recognized.


"I really like the tackles and passes of rugby," mentioned 16-12 months-previous Lutfullah Kazemi, a high-school pupil who previously had been a football fan. He was drawn to the game largely due to its novelty, however caught with it and now desires of a world profession.


In a country that has been at struggle for 4 a long time, powerful-man sports activities together with physique constructing and taekwondo already have discovered a loyal following.

And thanks to the efforts over several years by die-arduous followers, consciousness round rugby is rising.

Hopes are growing that Afghanistan could sooner or later put collectively a powerful nationwide crew.


Stephen Brooking, a Briton who advises the Afghan Rugby Federation, is satisfied Afghans have the characteristics to shine on the sport, notably bodily conditioning.


For the second, artificial grass football field grass football the focus is on seven-a-facet rugby, referred to as rugby sevens, as it's one of the simplest ways to construct skills and is less complicated to understand than 15 a facet.

"They have the talents, they have the fitness, they've the power," Brooking informed AFP.

"You get some very massive strong Afghans and I believe they could be also good at fifteens. Eventually, I'm positive Afghanistan will produce a powerful 15-a-facet rugby group."


But conditions are less than supreme. Chunks of artificial grass futsal courts grass have been torn from the Kabul pitch, making tackling harmful.

Only contact rugby is played in Kabul, due to the danger of injury on damaged artificial pitches.

Only touch rugby, which is less bodily, is allowed. For those who have any inquiries concerning exactly where along with how you can employ artificial turf futsal courts cheap, you are able to call us in our website. Otherwise the players risk harm, defined Abdul Habib, the trainer of this crew known as "Qahramanan" -- that means "champions" in Dari, the main Afghan language.


Still, the sport is rising. Today, 18 groups have been formed in faculties and universities round Kabul and six extra in provinces outside the capital, mentioned Aref Wardak, artificial Turf futsal courts cheap the rugby federation's spokesman.


Three youth and grownup championships are supposed to be created inside months, and a women's staff has even been began in Kabul with the hope of others coming soon.

- 'Where's the goal?' -

Afghanistan just isn't yet a member of the World Rugby governing physique, however has acquired support from the Asian federation, which helps it prepare referees and coaches.


The nationwide sevens aspect, made up of Afghan expatriates, participated within the Asian Games in Indonesia last 12 months, narrowly lacking out on the quarter finals.

To build a future for rugby, the federation is focusing on youth, beginning in the colleges.

"We should first convince teachers there's an interest in rugby, and clarify the values of this gentleman's sport that is rooted in guidelines and a respect for the enemy. And the kids want to find it enjoyable," Wardak mentioned.

Most beginners in Afghanistan are unclear on the principles of rugby.

Habib, who began coaching the Qahramanan staff about 4 years in the past, said it was a tough sport to be taught.

"It took me about two months to teach them the rules," he said.

Wardak, the rugby federation spokesman, recalled his first contacts with college college students.


"They'd ask me where the aim was and why we needed to pass the ball backward -- and so they thought a scrum was the start of a combat," he stated.


Brooking mentioned the thing players want probably the most in Kabul is pitches. Not straightforward to come by in a city experiencing a demographic growth.


A plot of land about 10,000 metres square (2.5 acres) will quickly be allocated for rugby practice, in keeping with the Afghan Rugby Federation, though funds are nonetheless missing to construct any facilities or put in a decent turf.