Events

PAKTIA, July 5, 2025 – World Sports Journalists Day, was celebrated today in Gardez, the capital of Paktia province, during a special ceremony held at the Zhwand Radio Conference Hall.

The event was attended by notable figures including Qari Noor-ur-Rahman Taskeen, head of the Olympic, Physical Education, and Sports Department of Paktia; Abdul Wakil Anwari, director of sports affairs in the same department; Niazullah Asil (Zazai), head of information at the Department of Information and Culture; Niazullah Ahmadzai, former head of the Cricket Board; media representatives; provincial delegates of the Afghanistan Sports Journalists’ Federation; and a number of local sports journalists.

The ceremony began with welcoming remarks from Mr. Asil, who extended greetings to all guests and highlighted the importance of celebrating this day as a tribute to the hard work and dedication of sports journalists. He also expressed his satisfaction with the revival of the federation and assured full support to its provincial representatives.

Following him, Qari Noor-ur-Rahman Taskeen acknowledged the valuable contributions of sports journalists, stating:

“It is through the efforts of the media that the achievements of our athletes are brought to the public and their challenges are conveyed to the authorities. We ask for continued collaboration with the sports sector and encourage journalists to maintain this level of engagement.”

At the conclusion of the event, Mr. Rahimullah Yar, the provincial representative of the ASJF, provided a detailed overview of the federation’s recent reactivation, its initial achievements, and future goals. He affirmed the federation’s commitment to genuine service and expressed confidence that its efforts would yield significant results in the near future. He also assured local sports journalists of ongoing support and thanked all attendees for their participation.

KANDAHAR, July 5, 2025 – World Sports Journalists Day was celebrated in Kandahar province, where sports journalists gathered at the local media outlet, Sanga Radio, to mark the occasion by cutting a ceremonial cake and renewing their commitment to unity and collaboration.

During the event, journalists highlighted the vital role of sports journalists in promoting athletic achievements and strengthening social ties through their coverage. They emphasized the importance of teamwork among media professionals and called on government and sports officials to provide greater access to information and facilitate interviews, enabling journalists to amplify the voices of athletes across various disciplines.

The gathering underscored a shared vision of solidarity among Kandahar’s sports media community. Sports Journalists encouraged colleagues to support one another and continue providing consistent and inclusive coverage of all sports activities in the province.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, participants pledged to hold regular monthly meetings to strengthen professional cooperation. They also agreed that at each gathering, one journalist will deliver a sports-focused seminar to help develop collective skills and knowledge within the community.

This commemoration served as a reminder of the unifying power of sports journalism in fostering peace, mutual respect, and progress in society.

MAIDAN WARDAK, July 3, 2025 – World Sports Journalists Day was commemorated today in Maidan Wardak province during a special ceremony held at Tajalla Radio in Maidan Shahr, the provincial capital.

The event was attended by the head of information from the Maidan Wardak Directorate of Information and Culture, the provincial head of the Maidan Wardak Cricket Board, the broadcasting director of Tajalla Radio, the provincial representative of the Afghanistan Sports Journalists Federation (ASJF), and numerous local sports journalists.

Fahim Mokhles, broadcasting director of Tajalla Radio, opened the ceremony by welcoming the guests and emphasizing the importance of observing the day as a recognition of the efforts and contributions of sports journalists. He also expressed his happiness over the federation’s reactivation and assured full cooperation with its provincial representative.

Speaking at the event, Nasir Amarkhil, head of the Maidan Wardak Cricket Board, praised the tireless work of sports journalists in the province. He highlighted their role in bringing players’ achievements to public attention and conveying their challenges to relevant authorities. He urged journalists to continue their collaborative efforts in promoting sports and pledged ongoing support for their initiatives.

Najibullah Fekerman, head of information at the Directorate of Information and Culture, described media as the “fourth pillar of the state,” noting that within media, sports journalism holds a particularly vital place. He added that athletes are ambassadors of peace for the country, and sports journalists reflect their accomplishments. Fekerman assured Wahidullah Mohammadi, the ASJF provincial representative, of comprehensive support and called the federation’s revival a crucial step for sports journalism.

In his closing remarks, Wahidullah Mohammadi provided an overview of the newly reactivated federation’s activities and achievements in a short span of time. He reaffirmed the federation’s commitment to genuine service and expressed optimism about greater accomplishments in the future. Mohammadi also assured local sports journalists of his full cooperation and thanked all guests for their participation.

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.

KUNDUZ, July 2, 2025 – The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) marked World Sports Journalists Day in Kunduz province with a special gathering attended by local sports journalists, AIPS member Samiullah Serat, reactivating Afghanistan Sports Journalists’ Federation (ASJF) representative in Nangarhar province Fazal Rahim Rahimi, and members of the ASJF.

During the event, held in the northern zone, ACB Media Department spokesperson Sayed Naseem Sadat and Kunduz Cricket Manager Ahmadullah Shinwari praised the tireless efforts of sports journalists in promoting Afghan sports—particularly cricket—both nationally and internationally. They acknowledged the media’s key role in portraying a positive image of Afghan cricket and bringing the sport closer to fans across the country and abroad.

Officials also reaffirmed the ACB’s ongoing commitment to supporting sports journalists and strengthening cooperation in media coverage at all levels.

Representatives of the sports media, including ASJF members, expressed their gratitude to the ACB Media Department for its continued collaboration in covering domestic and international cricket events.

At the conclusion of the gathering, cricket equipment was presented as gifts to the attending sports journalists in recognition of their work.

The Afghanistan Cricket Board commended the dedication of sports journalists across the country and extended best wishes to all on the occasion of World Sports Journalists Day.

LASHKARGAH, July 2, 2025 – World Sports Journalists Day was marked in Helmand province with a special ceremony held in Lashkargah, recognizing the dedication and contributions of local sports journalists.

The event was attended by representatives from Helmand’s sports institutions, the Almas VIP Sports Complex, the Qais Ghani Futsal Team, and the Barak Football Team. Officials expressed deep appreciation for the role of journalists in promoting sports in the province and beyond.

Speakers, including representatives from the Directorate of Physical Education and Sports, the Afghanistan Football Federation, and the Afghanistan Cricket Board, highlighted that Helmand’s sports journalists have long been the voice of local athletes—covering events professionally and helping introduce Helmand’s sports achievements to national and international audiences.

During the ceremony, sports journalists were presented with gifts including customized sportswear, notebooks, and pens by Haji Sardar Mohammad Ghani, head of the Qais Ghani Futsal Team. Haji Esmatullah Barak, head of the Barak Football Team, also invited journalists to a special banquet in their honor.

To mark the occasion, the Almas Sports Complex prepared a custom celebratory cake featuring congratulatory messages for sports journalists in Helmand and across Afghanistan.

KABUL, July 2, 2025 – World Sports Journalists Day was marked today in Kabul during a special gathering organized by members of the reactivating Afghanistan Sports Journalists’ Federation (ASJF).

The event brought together leading sports journalists from Kabul-based media outlets, representatives from the National Olympic Committee, the Afghanistan Cricket Board, the Afghan Journalists Safety Committee, and members of the ASJF.

Participants praised the recent efforts of the federation members and pledged full cooperation to support the professional growth of sports journalism in the country. They emphasized the urgent need for a structured and legal platform that can serve as a unifying body for all sports journalists in Afghanistan.

Atal Mashwani, spokesperson for the Directorate of Physical Education and Sports and the National Olympic Committee, highlighted the crucial role sports journalists play in the development of sports. He expressed full support for the ASJF.

Sharafuddin Shakir, representative of the Afghanistan Cricket Board, echoed the sentiment, saying the board stands firmly behind journalists who actively promote sports inside the country.

Yousuf Zarifi, provincial coordinator for the Afghan Journalists Safety Committee, stressed that his organization will continue to work in coordination with the federation to support, organize, and advocate for Afghan sports journalists both inside the country and abroad.

Sports journalists who attended the gathering strongly stated that the reactivating federation is the only legitimate and representative body for them, both domestically and internationally.

In recognition of their efforts, several sports journalists were awarded certificates of appreciation by Afghan Cosmos Group during the ceremony.

It’s worth noting that World Sports Journalists Day was also marked today by members of the Afghanistan Sports Journalists Federation in Kunar, Balkh, and Helmand provinces.

KUNAR, July 2, 2025 — Journalists in Kunar province marked World Sports Journalists Day with a gathering focused on collaboration and the role of media in promoting sports.

Participants emphasized the importance of accurate and responsible sports reporting across print, broadcast, digital, and visual platforms. The journalists highlighted collective efforts to support sports development and address challenges facing the sector.

Qazafi Mal, provincial representative of the Afghanistan Sports Journalists’ Federation (ASJF), welcomed the recent reactivation of ASJF, calling it a positive step toward strengthening professional representation and coordination among sports journalists. He urged all sports journalists to remain united and committed to promoting sports and advancing the profession nationwide.

Mal urged local media to increase coverage of sports news, competitions, and achievements to promote a positive sports culture.

The event concluded with speeches, a call for unity among journalists, and the ceremonial cutting of a cake.

Participants included:

• Qazafi Mal, Provincial representative of ASJF in Kunar province
• Haroon Dard, sports journalist at Zala Radio & TV
• Gohar Safi, sports journalist at Khukla Radio
• Waris Serat, sports journalist at Khukla Radio
• Barkatullah Sanin, head of Zala Media Network
• Mohammad Nasir Malangzai, journalist at RTA Kunar
• Fazl Wahid Afkari, representative of the Afghan journalists safety committee in Kunar
• Atta-ur-Rahman Safi, provincial representative of Afghanistan Cricket Board in Kunar
• Hameed Zawakman, representative of the Department of Information and Culture department in Kunar province
• Ebad Sadat, journalist at Seema News
• Izhar Arman, freelance journalist

Former Leadership Absent Since 2021, Over 100 Journalists Push for Transparent, Inclusive Renewal