KABUL, April 23 (Xinhua) -- An International Festival of Traditional Wrestling featuring athletes from seven countries opened in Kabul on Thursday, the Afghanistan General Directorate of Physical Education and Sport announced.
The event has brought together competitors from Afghanistan, Iran, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan and Turkey to compete in traditional wrestling disciplines including Kurash, Sambo, Rostami wrestling and belt wrestling, the directorate said in a statement.
A total of 160 athletes will take part in the three-day competition, it added.
Afghan Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi, speaking at the opening ceremony, described the event as a significant achievement for Afghan sport. "It is a great honor that competitions of such a large scale are being held in Afghanistan, with athletes arriving from abroad. This reflects that Afghanistan's sports sector, alongside other fields, has made significant progress," Muttaqi said.
The festival is seen as an opportunity for Afghanistan to showcase its sporting progress and build cultural and athletic bridges with neighboring and regional countries. ■