Country Afghanistan | National team Afghanistan | |
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Governing body Afghanistan Rugby Federation First played Late 19th or early 20th Century | ||
Rugby union is a relatively minor sport in Afghanistan, but is increasing in popularity. Rugby was introduced to Afghans by Asad Ziar who is called the father or the founder of rugby in Afghanistan. Afghanistan's current indigenous rugby sides formed in 2011, and played their first match barefoot against New Zealand Special Air Service troops in Kabul's green zone. The country's first official rugby tournament was sponsored by the British embassy in December 2011. The Afghan team's first overseas match was played as an exhibition rugby sevens match against the United Arab Emirates national team's development side on 27 April 2012, and played the Bournemouth Sevens in Glastonbury in June 2012.
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Governing body
The Afghanistan Rugby Federation (ARF) registered with the National Olympic Committee, Islamic Republic Of Afghanistan, in 2010. It is the official body for the sport of Afghan Rugby and is involved in educating, supporting and enabling young Afghans to excel and compete internationally. The ARF officially launched rugby in Afghanistan on May 20, 2011.
Afghanistan Rugby Federation is in process of developing into a nationwide organization which will certainly promote the game of rugby and the accompanying spirit of teamwork and fair competition in between all age-groups throughout Afghanistan emphasizing the young generation of Afghanistan. Asad Ziar, Chief Executive Officer states that rugby will only thrive if it becomes a game played by a large number of young generations.
History
As with many parts of the world, Afghanistan has indigenous sports which bear some resemblance to rugby. One of these is buzkashi, which has been compared to a cross between rugby and polo, using a dead goat or calf as the ball.
In most of Afghan history, the only ones to play Western rugby in Afghanistan were foreigners. The game was first introduced into the country from British India and was played by British troops. After the British left Asia, the game all but died in Afghanistan. Although the Soviet Red Army did have several dedicated rugby teams, there appears to be no record of troops playing the game during the Soviet war in Afghanistan.
Following the 2001 invasion of Afghanistan, rugby was reintroduced by foreign forces, being played amongst British, Australian, French, Canadian and American troops on their bases.