Athletes in Helmand province launched a football competition in the province on Sunday to celebrate the peace agreement between the United States and the Taliban.

The US and the Taliban signed a peace deal in Doha on Saturday, and athletes in Helmand welcomed the signing of the peace deal and called on the Taliban and the Afghan government to work for a lasting peace in Afghanistan.

Teams from Lashkargah city and Nahri Seraj, Nad Ali and Nawa districts will take part in the competition.

The Helmand Football Association says the competition is set to continue for four days.

Helmand footballers say they are tired of the war and the signed peace deal between the US-Taliban has given them hope for lasting peace in the country.

Many Helmand residents have expressed happiness over the signing of the US-Taliban peace deal, and call for talks between Afghans.