Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Jonathan David Chandler | Ali Askar Lali, Afghan football star and goodwill ambassador, participates in a...... read more read more
MAZAR-E SHARIF, Afghanistan – Afghan and German football enthusiasts used the love of their sport to bring people together at Camp Marmal, Regional Command North on June 17.
Football uniforms supplied by a private initiative in Germany were conveyed to the Balkh Football Federation, located in Mazar-e Sharif.
Attending was Ali Askar Lali, a famous Afghan football player who moved to Germany in the early 1980’s. Lali formerly played for the SC Paderborn 07 football team of the 2nd Bundesliga, Germany’s second division of professional football.
Sgt. Shafi Assad, also a Paderborn, Germany resident and soldier attached to RC North, reached out to the Afghan and German football communities involved to make the connection a reality. Assad is a member of the German initiative which has a goal of promoting football in the region.
“Kids of parents who were fighting in the past can play on the same field, playing toward one aim now,” said Assad.
During the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan in the 1980’s, many Afghan football players made their way to Germany and played for German teams.
“We can connect with people using football, which is the most important sport in Afghanistan,” said Assad. “Even the women play football now, and it makes them more confident.”
| Date Taken: | 06.17.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 06.18.2011 03:02 |
| Story ID: | 72306 |
| Location: | CAMP MARMAL, AF |
| Web Views: | 186 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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