Sunday July 24, 2016
Kabul (BNA) In an exclusive interview Sayed Ali Kazemi spokesman and publication officer of Afghanistan Football Federation (AFF), said, “For the first time AFF managed to ascend preliminary competition of Asian Nations Cup and achieved acceptable result.
“We plan to ascend in World Cup 2018. We have one year to prepare ourselves,” he said, adding AFF looking ahead to play in World class competitions to bring joys to war-hit Afghans. Answering another question, Kazemi said, “Few days ago the ranking table for our football team was announced and fortunately we ascend from place 156 to 150 of the world. Kazemi went on to say, that will have a friendly game with the Lebanon to gain world ranking place. This game will be held in two weeks in Beirut, the capital of that country,” he said.
“Our next game will be with Malaysia. The AFF managed to coordinate these two friendly games.” Kazemi added, at present we have ten football teams that start from 10 years old to elders. We also have two female football teams. The AFF has also provincial football teams. One of the female teams travelled to Pakistan in 2010 and opened their way to final stage and then defeated Qatar team.” Our female team attended several international games in European countries too. “Talking on their problems, Kazemi said, “Our teams were facing economic problems. Fortunately, Alokozay Co. sponsored AFF. The next problem is lack of coordination among Afghanistan sport teams that have been created by Physical Training Department. AFF is independent and does not depend to NOC and physical training department,” he concluded.
Nesar Ahmad Askarzada
