Sports

The people of Afghanistan love playing all kinds of sports. The most popular sport in Afghanistan is buzkashi, a team sport played on horseback. The second most popular sport is football (soccer), followed by cricket. Cricket gained popularity in early 2002, when Afghan refugees, who lived in Pakistan (where cricket is very popular) returned home and brought the sport with them.

A lot has changed since the fall of the Taliban for Afghan sports and athletes. For instance, now more women have taken up various types of sports such as football, martial arts, and boxing.

During the dark rule of the Taliban, participation by both men and women in many sports were restricted, and buzkashi was even banned. Instead, the Taliban used Kabul's sports stadium to carry out public executions.

Popular Universal Sports Played in Afghanistan:

             • Wrestling (Palwani)
             • Boxing
             • Martial Arts
             • Basketball
             • Soccer
             • Bicycle racing
             • Archery
             • Shooting
             • Running