Sada-e Azadi

The arena is full of proud horsemen riding their strong and beautiful horses. It is a fierce competition and everyone is using all his skills to try to grab the calf’s body from the ground. But nobody is as fast as Haleem. The young Chapandaz is playing with speed and agility and catches the calf with one hand. On his horse, Chargush, he escapes the crowd of riders. Still his opponents are eager to snatch the calf from his hand, but Chargush is too fast. The spectators are thrilled and are standing up as Haleem manages to carry the calf successfully from the flag to the Halal Circle. Applause!

More than 5,000 people are excitedly watching the Buzkashi ground on this sunny day. They came from all over the country to attend this game. Buzkashi is traditionally played during the winter time and of course, the horses need a special training to be ready for the match. Buzkashi is an Afghan cultural heritage, and the Afghan Olympic Department recognized this sport as a historical and traditional sport. Haji Abdurazzaq, the Head of the Buzkashi teams in Balkh province, explains: “Buzkashi was already played thousands years ago by tribes in ancient Balkh. Now, the Afghan government is trying to register it as an international sport.”

Haleem, 29, the proud winner and a well known Chapandaz in Balkh, states: “Buzkashi is the symbol of our national honor and has more than 5,000 year’s of history in Afghanistan. I succeeded my horsing skills from my father, the famous Hosain Pahlawan.” Governor Atta Mohammad Noor and Zaher Aghbar, Head of the Afghan Olympic Department are also in the audience. They award the winners some prizes and medals. “Today was my lucky day, because I received a victory medal from the Balkh Governor and the Olympic Department,” Haleem says, with a victory smile on his face.

As important as the individual preparation of each horseman, is the overall security situation in which this match can take place. Haji Abdurazzaq explains: “The main reason that all these people from different places can visit this game is the good security situation.” Corporal Ahmad Fawad, police officer, confirms this view: “It is our national responsibility to ensure the safety for this kind of events so the people can enjoy the match without fear.”

Haleem’s face was injured during the tournament, but he is full of energy. “These injuries will heal soon, but my victories will make me proud all my life long,” Haleem shouts among his cheering fans. In a calm moment he wisely cites an old proverb: “If the son has not any common habit with his father, he will not be the son of that father.”