Sport

Uzbekistan ready to kick off FIFA Futsal World Cup 2024

The event itself is historic as it’s the first time a Futsal World Cup is being held in Central Asia

Published

2 months ago

September 11, 2024

With just three days to go before the FIFA Futsal World Cup kicks off, host country Uzbekistan is all set to leave what it hopes will be a legacy for future generations.

The event itself is historic as it’s the first time a Futsal World Cup is being held in Central Asia.

The head of Uzbekistan Football Association’s (UFA) Competitions and Events Department and project manager for the Uzbekistan World Cup committee, Mukhammad Sodik Sadik-Akhunov, said this week that his country is “well prepared” for the event.

“Uzbekistan has invested in modernizing and expanding its sporting infrastructure, including state-of-the-art futsal arenas and training facilities. These investments ensure that the country is well-prepared to host the FIFA Futsal World Cup and provide ongoing support for the sport’s development post-tournament.

“The UFA has also established programmes to maintain and utilize these facilities for future competitions and training purposes,” he said.

The competition, which gets underway on Saturday 14 September and comes to an end on Sunday 6 October, will highlight just how hard the UFA have been working over the last few years, with FIFA also playing a key role.

Through its FIFA Forward 1.0 and 2.0 programmes, world football’s governing body has contributed to the modernisation of Uzbekistan by funding the construction of pitches and the renovation of the stadium and stands at the UFA Technical Centre in Tashkent as well as installation of floodlights sufficient for international matches.

There is also a technical center that can now host matches and provide accommodation for youth teams, as well as offering facilities for meetings and theory sessions for players.

It is a legacy for future generations that FIFA and the UFA have worked hand in hand to create and from which futsal will also benefit.

“The UFA intends to leave a legacy of enhanced futsal infrastructure, increased grassroots participation, and heightened awareness of the sport. By hosting the FIFA Futsal World Cup, the UFA hopes to establish a robust framework for the development of futsal, ensuring that it remains a prominent sport in Uzbekistan for years to come,” said Sadik-Akhunov.

On his country’s team, he said: “We want to go as far as we possibly can in the tournament and we aspire to showcase Uzbekistan’s talent on the global stage, promote the sport of futsal within the country, and inspire the next generation of players.

“Hosting the FIFA Futsal World Cup provides an opportunity to elevate the sport’s profile and demonstrate Uzbekistan’s capabilities in organizing major international events,” said Sadik-Akhunov.

Twenty-four teams will take part in the 10th FIFA Futsal World Championship in Uzbekistan, with Afghanistan, Tajikistan, New Zealand and France making their debut and Portugal defending the title they won three years ago in Lithuania.

For Afghanistan, who are already in Tashkent, their first match will be against Angola on Sunday 15 September.

Ariana Television Network has the legal rights to broadcast this exciting event live in Afghanistan, so fans around the country can start tuning in from Friday.

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Sport

Ariana News to broadcast IPL auction live and exclusively in Afghanistan

Published

13 hours ago

November 21, 2024

Ariana News

The highly anticipated TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) Player Auction will be held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on Sunday November 24 and Monday November 25 - an event that will be broadcast to Afghanistan’s cricket fans live and exclusively by Ariana Television and Radio Network (ATN).

The two-day event will be broadcast live and exclusively on Ariana News.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction will be held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, this year. It will be the second time that the IPL mega auction is held outside India after last year's event in Dubai.

This year's mega auction will have 1,574 players registered, of which 574 names will go under the hammer.

Of those 574, a total of 366 players will be Indian and 208 will be foreign cricketers.

A number of big names will be in fray, with as many as 81 players choosing to register themselves under the highest base price bracket of Rs 2 crore ($237,000).

Afghan players

Eighteen Afghan players have been shortlisted for the IPL mega auction.

Two hundred and four (204) slots will be up for grabs with 70 available slots for overseas players.

Full list of Afghan players shortlisted for the auction:

Rahmanullah Gurbaz
Noor Ahmad
Waqar Salamkheil
Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar
Mujeeb-ur-Rahman
Azmatullah Omarzai
Naveen-ul-haq
Zahir Khan Pakten
Sediqullah Atal
Mohammad Nabi
Gulbadin Naib
Fazalhaq Farooqi
Najibullah Zadran
Ibrahim Zadran
Qais Ahmad
Karim Janat
Faridoon Dawoodzai
Nangyal Kharote

For cricket fans across the country, the IPL mega auction broadcast will be on Sunday and Monday from 1.30pm Kabul time on Ariana News. For more information and updated stories be sure to watch this space and follow us on social media.

Sport

Pakistan trumps Afghanistan by only 13 runs in U19 Tri-Series One Day match

Chasing 245 to win, Afghanistan lost their opening batter Mahboob Khan in the first over but recovered as Uzairullah Niazai and Faisal Shinozada secured a 104-run partnership for the second wicket

Published

2 days ago

November 20, 2024

Ariana News

Afghanistan’s U-19 cricket team went down to Pakistan by only 13 runs on Wednesday in their third tri-nation series One Day match at the ICC Academy in Dubai.

This was Pakistan’s first win over Afghanistan in the ongoing tournament after the Afghans defeated their opponents by 100 runs at the same venue on Friday.

Chasing 245 to win, Afghanistan lost their opening batter Mahboob Khan in the first over but recovered as Uzairullah Niazai and Faisal Shinozada secured a 104-run partnership for the second wicket.

After Faisal’s departure, Uzairullah soon followed with Afghanistan at 142 for three in 26.5 overs.

Afghanistan were bundled out for 231 in 46.4 overs.

Earlier, after opting to bat first, Pakistan’s opening pair Shahzaib Khan and Usman Khan provided a solid 129-run stand to Pakistan.

Left-handed Usman, who scored a century against Afghanistan in the previous match, scored an 88-ball 77, which included eight fours.

Shahzaib meanwhile top-scored for the side with 78 off 101 balls, hitting seven boundaries.

For Afghanistan, Abdul Aziz Khan and Khatir Khan Stanikzai bagged three wickets apiece, while Naseer Khan Maroofkhil snapped two wickets.

Pakistan will take on the hosts UAE U19 in their last group match on Friday, 22 November.

In a post on X, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) said late Wednesday: “Not the result we would have wanted but Afghanistan Future Stars will look to bounce back in the next match.”

Afghanistan will take on UAE U19 on Sunday, November 24.

Sport

Afghanistan beat UAE by 169 runs in U19 tri-series

Published

4 days ago

November 18, 2024

Ariana News

Afghanistan under-19 cricket team defeated the United Arab Emirates under-19 team by 169 runs in their second match of the tri-nation series in Dubai on Monday.

Batting first after winning the toss, Afghans posted 359-5 as they played all the mandated 50 overs in the ICC Academy in Dubai.

Faisal Khan scored 156 runs while captain Mehboob Khan made 141.

In reply, UAE made 190 before they were all out in the 45.4 overs.

It is Afghanistan U19's second consecutive win in the two matches they have played so far in the tri-series.

Afghanistan U19 defeated Pakistan by 100 runs in their first match.

Afghanistan U19 will meet Pakistan U19 again on Wednesday.