KABUL - Dressed in blue and white t-shirts with the UN Peace Day logo, cricket players from eight cricket teams in Kandahar went face-to-face to compete in a five-day T-20 cricket tournament supported by the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) as part of the International Day of Peace campaign.

“We participated in many tournaments in Kandahar and at the national level, however, this tournament is special because the purpose of this tournament is to raise awareness amongst youth about the importance of peace in one’s life,” said Nisar Ahmad Shahmsher, one of the cricket players.

Cricket become a popular sport in Afghanistan after the national team qualified for the International T-20 World Cup and won the Intercontinental Cup.

“Cricket is a very popular sport for youth in Kandahar. Normally, it keeps you fit and prevents you from indulging into drugs or any other related activities. My message to all the youth is to engage in sports in order to keep healthy and stay protected from illicit businesses,” said Mohammad Masoud, one of the players.

The news about Kandahar peace day cricket tournament is also shared at “Facebook”, a social network, by the cricket players and management of Kandahar Cricket Association. Several cricket fans left their messages and expressed their views about the event in Kandahar.

“I hope this tournament brings peace to Kandahar since the tournament is played as part of the international peace campaign,” one Facebook fan wrote.

Theatre shows, volleyball, group discussions with Ullamas and radio messages about peace are aired in Kandahar and Nimroz provinces. Click here for more Peace Day activities in the regions.

By UNAMA Kandahar