| Revision as of 12:37, 16 June 2011 editSadads (talk | contribs)Administrators147,245 edits Added {{tone}} tag to article (TW)← Previous edit | Revision as of 05:49, 28 June 2011 edit undoPaul A (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users63,852 edits more precise categoryNext edit → | ||
| Line 31: | Line 31: | ||
| ] | ] | ||
| ] | ] | ||
| ] | ] | ||
Revision as of 05:49, 28 June 2011
 | This article's tone or style may not reflect the encyclopedic tone used on Misplaced Pages. See Misplaced Pages's guide to writing better articles for suggestions. (June 2011) (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
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 enough money to marry 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.