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| Afghanistan |
| World Cup soccer returns to Afghanistan, supplanting former execution ground |
| 2003-11-23 |
| World Cup soccer returned to Afghanistan on Sunday in a match at the stadium once used by the Taliban regime for public executions. The team lost - a respectable 2-0 defeat to neighbouring Turkmenistan - but that was a side issue. Some 2,500 Afghan fans cheered for their team every time the ball made it over midfield, and there was no violence. "I am so very proud, for myself and for my nation," said Ali Ahmad, a 19-year-old midfielder on the national team. "Some day, God will help us reach the World Cup final." Fans said they felt immense pride to be hosting a FIFA-sanctioned match, though some were embarrassed by the condition of the stadium, which is pocked by bullets and a bit short on grass. A shell slammed into the field during the civil war that largely destroyed Kabul from 1992-96. The Taliban regime, which came to power in 1996, initially banned soccer. They later relented, but demanded players wear "proper" clothes - long trousers and sleeves - and stop for prayers during matches. Fans were forbidden to cheer. The Taliban used Kabul’s main stadium for executions, with condemned men and women shot at midfield. "Today is a happy day," said Mohammed Qasim, a 22-year-old policemen standing guard on the field. "This used to be an execution ground for the old regime. But sport is an ambassador of peace." |
| Posted by:TS |
| #5 I understand your feelings, Rafael, but another way to view this is that the Afghanis are refusing to allow the Taliban to own that site. By reclaiming the stadium for soccer, the Afghani people are repudiating all of the repression the Taliban fostered. |
| Posted by: rkb 2003-11-23 10:45:05 PM |
| #4 This is really cool. No matter where the place. This is a huge change for the Afghan people. .Too bad it won't appear in any Media reports -- no body bags :(... A quick scan of BBC and CNN... Nothing.... |
| Posted by: CrazyFool 2003-11-23 8:32:12 PM |
| #3 Actually, the stadium was built with European funds. The article is partially correct. Cheering and chanting as such were prohibited but fans were allowed to greet goals with "Allah Akbar!" I agree with Super Hose that there really isn't anywhere in that poor country that isn't touched by tragedy. Soccer may reclaim that piece of ground for the saner, more civilized elements of Afghani society. I'm really happy to read that story. Go get 'em, Lions! |
| Posted by: JDB 2003-11-23 7:37:40 PM |
| #2 Rafael, I am comforatable with whatever the Afghans decide. Between unexploded ordanance, mines and hallowed ground there wouldn't be much place left for folks to walk in that country. I'm with you; I would make the place a historic stie or plow it under. I don't claim to understand their culture in the slightest, though. Glad to see them watching sports. I'll be more comfortable when we get rid of the poppy fields and get our troops the hell out of there. |
| Posted by: Super Hose 2003-11-23 6:55:37 PM |
| #1 Still, there is something not right about playing soccer over the spot where people died in horrific ways. Soccer being so popular in Europe, you'd think some European country would help build a new field (doesn't have to be a stadium). |
| Posted by: Rafael 2003-11-23 4:18:38 PM |