MAZAR-E-SHARIF, July 2, 2025 – Following commemorations in Kunar, Helmand, Kunduz, and Kabul, World Sports Journalists Day was also marked in Mazar-e-Sharif, the capital of Balkh province. Members of the reactivating Afghanistan Sports Journalists’ Federation (ASJF) came together to celebrate the occasion with a gathering that concluded with the ceremonial cutting of a cake.
During the event, sports journalists from Balkh emphasized their ongoing efforts to promote and develop sports under current conditions, despite limited resources. They expressed a shared commitment to using media platforms to support sports growth and to overcome existing challenges in the field.
Ahmadullah Stanikzai, the provincial representative of the reactivating Afghanistan Sports Journalists’ Federation (ASJF) in Balkh, delivered opening remarks. He provided a comprehensive update on the reactivation of the ASJF, its goals, recent achievements, and the election of new provincial representatives. He described the reestablished federation as a valuable and effective body for representing the interests of Afghan sports journalists.
Also in attendance was Rohullah Rohani, head of the Afghan Independent Journalists Association (AIJA) in the northern zone and a reporter for Shamshad TV. He congratulated sports journalists on their day and praised the recent work of Abdullah Zeyar Alokozai, a local reporter from Omid Radio in Balkh. Alokozai had been covering the Wakhan National T20 Cricket League in Kunduz and conducting interviews with Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) officials and well-known national players. Rohani highlighted these efforts as examples of dedication and professionalism in sports journalism.
He further stated that the newly revitalized ASJF has the potential to serve as a legitimate representative body for all Afghan sports journalists and could play an important role in addressing their challenges and securing their rights.
In addition, participants called on the previous ASJF leadership, elected for the 2020–2024 term, to support the efforts of journalists inside the country rather than contributing to division and fragmentation within the community. They emphasized that unity and collaboration are essential for the advancement and protection of sports journalism in Afghanistan.
Several other journalists also spoke at the event, discussing the current challenges facing sports reporters and proposing solutions. They described the reactivating federation as a meaningful initiative that could contribute significantly to the promotion of sports, public engagement, and the development of various games across Afghan communities.
The gathering concluded with the cutting of a cake to mark the occasion.
