STORY: Buzkashi, a traditional sport uniting Afghans
SHOOTING TIME: Dec. 10, 2024
DATELINE: Dec. 15, 2024
LENGTH: 00:03:26
LOCATION: Kabul
CATEGORY: CULTURE/SPORTS

SHOTLIST:
1. various of a Buzkashi game (goat grabbing) and spectators in Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Dari): GHULAM SARWAR JALAL, Head of the Afghanistan National Federation of Buzkashi
3. various of a Buzkashi game 
4. SOUNDBITE 2 (Dari): PAHLAWAN, Horse rider
5. various of a Buzkashi game
6. SOUNDBITE 3 (Uzbek): NAJIBULLAH HAMRAZ, Resident of the northern Sari Pul province

STORYLINE:

The sixth annual Buzkashi League of Afghanistan, featuring 11 teams from across the country, kicked off on Dec. 5 and is set to conclude on Sunday. Winners will receive cash prizes, luxury vehicles, and horses as rewards for their efforts.
   
As a "centuries-old" Afghan sport also known as goat grabbing, Buzkashi has become a symbol of unity. 

SOUNDBITE 1 (Dari): GHULAM SARWAR JALAL, Head of the Afghanistan National Federation of Buzkashi
"Buzkashi has a special place in the hearts of our people. This year, we even imported horses from Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan for the competition. Instead of buying cars, enthusiasts invest in horses, showcasing their passion for the sport."
   
SOUNDBITE 2 (Dari): PAHLAWAN, Horse rider
"Breeding and raising horses here is a deep-rooted tradition, and so is Buzkashi. This sport is more than just a competition -- it's an excellent way to unite people of all ages. This game (Buzkashi) facilitates friendship among people. The love for Buzkashi brings unity and that is why people and horse riders from different provinces, from Badakhshan, from Baghlan, from Takhar, from Kunduz, and from across the country came to enjoy it."
   
Decades of war and civil conflict have fragmented Afghanistan's multi-ethnic society, but Pahlawan sees Buzkashi as a unique platform for fostering friendship and solidarity.
   
Despite the challenges facing war-torn Afghanistan, the sport thrives, with the value of competition-ready horses ranging between 70,000 U.S. dollars to 200,000 dollars, according to the organizer.
   
SOUNDBITE 3 (Uzbek): NAJIBULLAH HAMRAZ, Resident of the northern Sari Pul province
"I am a fan of Buzkashi and that is why I came from Sari Pul province here (Kabul) to enjoy the game. I am sure that our team will win the competition. Buzkashi is part of our culture."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Kabul.
(XHTV)