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| ==Early life== | ==Early life== | ||
| Ahmad was born in a farming village in northern ] to a poor family. He began playing Buzkashi at age 15.<ref name=twsj>{{cite news|last1=Abi-Habib|first1=Maria|last2=Fazly|first2=Walid|title=In Afghanistan's National Pastime, It's Better to Be a Hero Than a Goat|url=http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703841904576256632384932122.html|accessdate=13 April 2011|newspaper=The Wall Street Journal|date=13 April 2011}}</ref> At the time that he began playing, Buzkashi was a ] for young men. Although he initially was not a successful player, his skill |
Ahmad was born in a farming village in northern ] to a poor family. He began playing Buzkashi at age 15.<ref name=twsj>{{cite news|last1=Abi-Habib|first1=Maria|last2=Fazly|first2=Walid|title=In Afghanistan's National Pastime, It's Better to Be a Hero Than a Goat|url=http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703841904576256632384932122.html|accessdate=13 April 2011|newspaper=The Wall Street Journal|date=13 April 2011}}</ref> At the time that he began playing, Buzkashi was a ] for young men in the Kunduz region. Although he initially was not a successful player, his skill quickly improved and he soon became the champion of his village.<ref name=ttt>{{cite news|title=The sport of true warriors|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/feat/archives/2006/03/18/2003298059/1|accessdate=13 April 2011|newspaper=The Taipei Times|agency=AFP|date=18 March 2006}}</ref> | ||
| ==Military service== | ==Military service== | ||
| At the age of 18 he was conscripted by the military of the ] during the ]. He soon defected from the government |
At the age of 18 he was conscripted by the military of the ] during the ]. He soon defected from the government military to join the ] in order to wage ]. While serving with the Mujahideen he often traveled across the northeastern border into ]. There he collected American supplied weapons and brought them back into Afghanistan. The area that he traveled through was frequently bombed by Soviet jets. On one occasion, he narrowly avoided capture after being ambushed by a group of Soviet soldiers.<ref name=ttt/> | ||
| Ahmad was able to join a group of Mujahideen who played |
During the war, Ahmad was once able to join a group of Mujahideen who played Buzkashi before a group of dignitaries in Pakistan. Over the course of the war he was occasionally able to play Buzkashi in Afghan refugee camps in Pakistan, as well. In 1992 he was part of a group of Mujahideen who held a game of Buzkashi in ] to celebrate the capture of the city.<ref name=ttt/> | ||
| ==Playing career== | ==Playing career== | ||
| Ahmad initially left Kabul and returned to Kunduz after the ] began. His playing skill soon drew the attention of ], who was then a powerful ]. Fahim offered to |
Ahmad initially left Kabul and returned to Kunduz after the ] began. His playing skill soon drew the attention of ], who was then a powerful ]. Fahim offered to sponsor him if he returned to play in Kabul and chartered a helicopter to bring him back. Ahmad remained in Kabul until leaving the city in 1996 shortly before it fell to the ], who then banned Buzkashi. He returned to the north and joined the ] to fight against the Taliban in the ].<ref name=ttt/> | ||
| After the fall of the Taliban during the ] Ahmad returned to his Buzkashi career |
After the fall of the Taliban during the ], Ahmad returned to his Buzkashi career and soon became known as the best living player.<ref name=ttt/><ref name=twsj/> He is still sponsored by Mohammad Fahim, who is now the vice president of Afghanistan. Fahim pays him a monthly salary and provides him with bonuses for his victories. Some of the bonuses have included a house, a jeep, and a second wife.<ref name=ttt/> | ||
| Ahmad now lives in a wealthy area of Kabul. {{As of|April 2011}} he has eleven children by his two wives.<ref name=twsj/> | |||
| ==References== | ==References== | ||
Revision as of 15:01, 14 April 2011
Aziz Ahmad (born c. 1964) is a professional Buzkashi player from Afganistan. Although his playing career has often been interrupted by war, he is now considered by many to be the sport's best living player. Although he was impoverished for much of his life, he has since gained lucrative sponsorships and become wealthy.
Early life
Ahmad was born in a farming village in northern Kunduz to a poor family. He began playing Buzkashi at age 15. At the time that he began playing, Buzkashi was a rite of passage for young men in the Kunduz region. Although he initially was not a successful player, his skill quickly improved and he soon became the champion of his village.
Military service
At the age of 18 he was conscripted by the military of the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan during the Soviet war in Afghanistan. He soon defected from the government military to join the Mujahideen in order to wage jihad. While serving with the Mujahideen he often traveled across the northeastern border into Pakistan. There he collected American supplied weapons and brought them back into Afghanistan. The area that he traveled through was frequently bombed by Soviet jets. On one occasion, he narrowly avoided capture after being ambushed by a group of Soviet soldiers.
During the war, Ahmad was once able to join a group of Mujahideen who played Buzkashi before a group of dignitaries in Pakistan. Over the course of the war he was occasionally able to play Buzkashi in Afghan refugee camps in Pakistan, as well. In 1992 he was part of a group of Mujahideen who held a game of Buzkashi in Kabul to celebrate the capture of the city.
Playing career
Ahmad initially left Kabul and returned to Kunduz after the 1992 Civil war began. His playing skill soon drew the attention of Mohammed Fahim, who was then a powerful warlord. Fahim offered to sponsor him if he returned to play in Kabul and chartered a helicopter to bring him back. Ahmad remained in Kabul until leaving the city in 1996 shortly before it fell to the Taliban, who then banned Buzkashi. He returned to the north and joined the Northern Alliance to fight against the Taliban in the ensuing Civil war.
After the fall of the Taliban during the 2001 War in Afghanistan, Ahmad returned to his Buzkashi career and soon became known as the best living player. He is still sponsored by Mohammad Fahim, who is now the vice president of Afghanistan. Fahim pays him a monthly salary and provides him with bonuses for his victories. Some of the bonuses have included a house, a jeep, and a second wife.
Ahmad now lives in a wealthy area of Kabul. As of April 2011 he has eleven children by his two wives.
References
- ^ Abi-Habib, Maria; Fazly, Walid (13 April 2011). "In Afghanistan's National Pastime, It's Better to Be a Hero Than a Goat". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 13 April 2011.
- ^ "The sport of true warriors". The Taipei Times. AFP. 18 March 2006. Retrieved 13 April 2011.