The 9th season of the Afghan Premier League (APL) started Thursday evening and was attended by First Vice President Amrullah Saleh and Wolesi Jirga Speaker Mir Rahman Rahmani, as well as a number of other government officials.
“I hope that today's game will be a message of peace and a message of encouragement to all the citizens of the country and a stubborn response to those who want to injure our homeland with gunpowder and explosions,” said Saleh, the first vice president.
In the opening match of this league competition, Toofan Harirod and De Abasin Sape faced off and Toofan Harirod won 1-0.
The first half of the game ended 0-0.
The girls and women who attended the stadium with their families to watch the competition say they want others to know that sports stadiums are open to Afghan women and provide a humane space for women to watch football.
Along with men and women, children also come to the stadium to watch the football match with their families.
“Every citizen of the country wishes to participate in such programs without worries or concerns. This is our right,” said Oranos, a football match participant.
A number of women who came to watch the game mentioned concerns about the loss of women's gains in the peace talks.
“Women are also part of this society. Their achievements in peace negotiations should not be ignored,” said Seman, another participant.
“I am happy that we participated in this program. Thank God, the situation is good, and women can also participate in these programs,” said Amina, another participant.
“We are proud that Afghanistan has made so much progress that it can host such leagues,” said Sulaiman, another participant.
Second Half of the Game:
In the second half, Toofan Harirod started the game offensively and succeeded in scoring in the 47th minute of the second half.
The second match of the season will be held on Friday between Shaheen Asmayee and De Maiwand Atalan.
Shaheen Asmayee, De Maiwand Atalan, Toofan Harirod, Simorgh Alborz, Mawjhai Amu, De Spinghar Bazan, De Abasin Sape, and Oqaban Hindukosh are the eight APL teams representing all 34 provinces of Afghanistan.
Last year, Toofan Harirod from the west zone won the league title. Toofan Harirod has won the title three times.
APL was launched eight years ago and starts with regional selection tournaments in various areas of the country, and then ends with eighteen national league matches in Kabul.
This year the league matches will continue until October 16.