News Release

Kandahar Gets a Kick out of PRT Soccer Tournament

NR-05.091 - November 17, 2005

OTTAWA – On November 18, 2005, the Kandahar stadium will resound with the shouts and cheers of young Afghan soccer enthusiasts and their families, as the final game is played in the boys' soccer tournament organized by the Canadian Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT). Even the youngest players — only eight years old — remember how the Taliban forced the people of Kandahar to attend public executions at the very same stadium.

The PRT soccer tournament began on November 11 under the aegis of provincial governor Assadullah Khalid. It has attracted 950 boys aged eight to 12, playing on more than 70 teams from 30 Kandahar schools. In a country emerging from nearly 30 years of war and civil unrest, and a region so recently dominated by the Taliban, who banned all forms of sport, the level of participation demonstrates that this tournament is a longed-for opportunity for the community to have some good, clean fun.

The round-robin phase of the tournament was held on the bare, dusty playing field of a school near Camp Nathan Smith, the PRT compound. Every member of the 68 teams registered on opening day received a brand-new uniform from the Canadian PRT, along with gifts such as water bottles, puzzles, T-shirts, school supplies and Afghan flags.

The soccer tournament began with an idea from Captain Dennis Maringer of the Canadian Forces, who works in the PRT tactical operations centre. “It's an opportunity for kids in this troubled region to just be kids," said Captain Maringer. "Watching them laugh and play helps everybody, us and them, take a break from everyday life here in Afghanistan”.

The tournament has attracted thousands of fans of all ages, not only from in and around Kandahar but also from every level of government in Afghanistan. Representatives of the central government are coming from Kabul to attend the final.

Afghan culture forbids girls to play sports in public, especially in a mixed tournament, but the PRT found a way to include girls in the excitement of returning to traditional creative activities and amusements that were forbidden by the Taliban. An arts-and crafts competition and fundraiser organized by the PRT to run parallel to the soccer tournament has attracted entries from 1,000 girls at 42 schools.

Using materials provided by the PRT, each competitor has two weeks to complete either a traditional embroidered Afghan scarf, or a beaded necklace or bracelet in traditional style. The preliminary judging will be done at the girls' schools, which will then submit the best projects to the final citywide round of judging. The winner in each category — embroidery or beadwork — will receive a prize, and all items submitted to the competition will be sold to raise funds for supplies and equipment for girls' schools across Kandahar.

The PRT brings together Canadian military personnel, civilian police, diplomats and aid workers in an integrated effort to reinforce the authority of the Afghan government in and around Kandahar, and to help stabilize the region. To achieve these goals, the PRT conducts security patrols, contributes labour and resources to local reconstruction efforts, supports local governance institutions, and facilitates reforms in the security sector.

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NOTE TO EDITORS:

Video footage and still photos of the final game from the Kandahar stadium in Afghanistan, interviews with participants (through translators) and organizers, will be available Friday by visiting the following websites:

• Video: www.combatcamera.forces.gc.ca/common/combatcamera/news

• Stills: www.combatcamera.forces.gc.ca/

For more information, contact the Canadian Forces Media Liaison Office at 613-996-2353.

For more information on Canadian Forces operations, please visit: http://www.forces.gc.ca/site/operations/current_ops_e.asp