Afghanistan's National Buzkashi Team Secures Third Place in Kokpar World Competitions

Afghanistan's national buzkashi team finished third among nine participating countries in the international Kokpar competitions hosted by Kazakhstan.

Teams from Kazakhstan, Turkey, Mongolia, Russia, China, Hungary, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan also took part in the event.

Afghanistan's players advanced to the semi-finals after strong performances in the group stage, defeating Hungary 14-0, Mongolia 7-0 and Russia 5-0.

The competitions highlighted the skill of Afghan riders in the traditional Central Asian equestrian sport, also known as buzkashi in some regions and kokpar in others. The third-place finish marks a notable achievement for Afghanistan on the international stage.

Buzkashi involves teams of horseback riders competing to capture a goat carcass, or 'boz', and carry it to a goal area, requiring strength, horsemanship and strategy. The Kokpar World Competitions brought together top teams from across Eurasia, showcasing the sport's cultural significance in the region.