29 September 2010 - Cricket and volleyball tournaments were launched in Nangarhar and Laghman provinces in Afghanistan’s east to mark the International Day of Peace, which falls on 21 September.

According to Nuragha Zwak, Director of the Youth Department of Nangarhar province, a total of eight teams participated in the cricket tournament in Jalalabad.

“More than 500 youth from different parts of Nangarhar province are involved in several peace activities, organized by the Youth Department, with the full support of the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF),” he added.

Firoz Khan, 23, a legal advisor to the Youth Department, is one of the organizers of this tournament.

“So far, four matches have taken place. Out of eight teams, four teams have qualified for the semi-finals, which will take place in early October,” said Khan.

Nasim Jan, 22, whose team, Peace Caravan, qualified for the semi-finals, says he has been playing cricket for the last five years.

“I was so happy to take part in this vital event, which will deliver a good message about the significance of peace, that is a crucial need for all Afghans right now,” said Nasim Jan.

The tournament was supported by UNICEF.

In continuation with the spirit of Peace Day, the UN Refugee Agency – UNHCR – in Jalalabad will also organize other activities, particularly cricket matches for returnees and internal displaced people (IDP), in some townships and settlements in Nangarhar and Laghman provinces.

Earlier, on the eve of Peace Day, girls and boys from Nangarhar and members of the Youth Federation took part in several events, including radio and TV round table discussions on the significance of peace, as well as drawing and poetry competitions.

“We also published a special edition of our newspaper “Youth”, that contains articles and essays about peace and reconciliation,” added Zwak.

Nooria, a member of the Youth Federation, who also does voluntarily work teaching computer education to girls in a project supported by UNICEF, took part in several peace events.

“Since 30 years our people are suffering from war. Many people lost their life. Many others sustained injuries and became disabled. I want both sides to stop fighting. We don’t want people to kill each other and destroy our country,” Nooria added.

By Shafiqullah Waak, UNAMA