Buzkashi teams from five provinces in the northeast of Afghanistan competed in a one-week tournament in Badakhshan province.

The Badakhshan team, the host of the competitions, won the tournament, the provincial buzkashi federation said.

Head of the federation Mohammad Tahir Azimi said the tournament was held to celebrate the new year. 

“These Buzkashi tournament was held to promote the sport and celebrate the new year. Lots of riders had attended the event,” Azimi told TOLOnews.

Badakhshan Governor Ahmad Faisal Begzad, who was a spectator in the final match of the event on Thursday evening, said Buzkashi has a long history in Badakhshan and that the tournament is held in the province every year. 

“This tournament ended after seven days. It was held in a safe environment as security forces and people contributed to the safety of the event,” Begzad said.

Buzkashi riders said they will have good achievements in international events f they were given the chance.

“We are two teams in Badakhshan. Each team has 12 players. We can win any event inside and outside the country if the chance is given to us,” said Zubair, a Buzkashi rider. 

More than 200,000 people from Takhar, Kunduz, Baghlan, Balkh and Badakhshan provinces watched the final match of the tournament.