AFGHAN KIDS SHOW TRUE GRIT
No sand is no problem for war-torn nation’s growing legion of young beach soccer players. Agence France-presse reports
On a makeshift “beach” in landlocked Afghanistan, children as young as 8, wearing baggy Real Madrid and Barcelona shirts with “Ronaldo” and “Bale” and “Messi” on the back, joyfully kick and chase a soccer ball.
Kabul’s Ghazi stadium was the scene of gruesome executions under Taliban rule, but today it is where Afghan youths, the majority of whom have never seen the sea, dream of representing their country in the beach version of “the beautiful game.”
“I had no idea about beach soccer before I joined this program. I have never been to a beach,” said 14-year-old Mudasir Yousufzai, who is head over heels for his newfound passion.
“We have a lot of problems. We play on dust and rocks, our goals have no nets, but because I am in love with it I still like to play.”
Yousufzai is one of dozens of youngsters taking part in a rapidly growing scheme that was set up six months ago to help find the brightest beach soccer talent in war-torn Afghanistan.
The brains behind the project is Hazratgul Baran, who plays for Afghanistan’s surprisingly respectable national beach soccer team — ranked No 10 in Asia and No 52 in the world, despite the lack of facilities and sand.
“When I started this program people wondered what I was doing. They asked, ‘How can you prepare kids to play beach soccer when they have no idea what a beach looks like?’,” said the 28-year-old.
But Baran has had no problems attracting youngsters to the program.
Soccer is hugely popular in Afghanistan, with kids playing on dirt roads, in markets and in schools — wherever the security situation allows.
Interest in beach soccer in particular has boomed since the national team played its first international match, against Qatar, in 2013 — a game Afghanistan won.
“In the beginning the players were inspired by landlocked countries like Switzerland that are doing great internationally,” said Ruhullah Rastagar, director of the Afghan Beach Football Committee.
“Now we are doing better than a lot of countries that have beaches. We have beaten powerful teams such as Malaysia and China, and we are getting better.
“If we have enough support, I am sure Afghanistan’s beach football team will soon be at the top of the world rankings.”
The enthusiasm shown by Afghan children came to the world’s attention last year when 6-year-old Murtaza Ahmadi became an online hit after he was pictured wearing an improvised Lionel Messi shirt made out of a plastic bag.
He later met his hero, who presented him with an authentic Barca shirt.
Almost 200 boys, many from extremely poor families, train three times a week at Ghazi stadium.
“Most players are street kids who do not have any other chance to show their talent to the world,” said Baran.
“I go to very remote areas of Kabul to find them. I tell them, ‘If you can play on the street, you can play on the beach’.”
Baran played in the victory over Qatar. Afterwards he signed for a Brazilian beach soccer club in Sao Paulo but soon returned home, committed to developing Afghanistan’s future stars.
“Unfortunately, nobody supports us financially. But I hope people help us so that we can continue this program, which is very unique,” he said.
Beach soccer pitches require a specific type of sand, usually sourced from beaches and desert dunes.
But at the Ghazi ground, the kids — many of them barefoot — play on heavier sand used for building construction, which is mixed with soil and rocks.
Rather than a glittering ocean as a backdrop, the pitch is surrounded by rocks, driedout thorn bushes and other stubble.
In marked contrast to the trying conditions, the laughter of the young players is a welcome change from the ground’s sinister past.
During the Taliban’s rule from 1996-2001, thousands of spectators were routinely herded to the stadium to watch a soccer match.
Before kickoff or at halftime, those deemed disloyal to the regime were often mutilated or executed in front of the crowd.
Now, as dusk falls, the exhausted, dust-covered kids smile as they enthusiastically shake hands before heading home, dreaming of following in Baran’s footsteps.
I had no idea about beach soccer before I joined this program. I have never been to a beach.” Mudasir Yousufzai, 14-year-old boy in Kabul