Insecurity bars foreigners from Bamyan skiing event

BAMYAN CITY (Pajhwok): The eighth annual skiing competition featuring players from Australia, US, New Zealand and Switzerland, has been held in central Bamyan province.

Four foreigners were among 80 players who took part in primary and secondary competitions on snow-capped mountains in the central province.

Mujtaba Hussaini, 25, an Afghan player, grabbed the first position. The champion recalled he had started playing the sport with skis made of wood.

Bamyan is the most stable province of Afghanistan, but insecurity in neighbouring province is the major reason why the number of foreign players declined this time.

Khaliq Bamyani, an organiser of the event, said: “This year a small number of players contested due to insecurity. Insecurity has a negative impact.”

In the past, foreigners from more than 10 countries took part in the event.

Robert, an Australian, said: “It is great the Afghan skiing players are doing well. For me and other foreigners, it is a huge risk taking part in competition here.”

nh/mud