KABUL (SW): The President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani on Sunday honored the national football squad for its notable performance at the Asian Cup qualifiers and promised to allocate more funds for the growth of sports in the country.
Ghani hosted the national squad and its managers at the Arg (Presidential Palace) and honored them with awards. Speaking on the occasion, he praised the dedication and sportsmanship of the players in highlighting the better image of the country on international stage.
A communiqué by the Arg has stated that the President promised to allocate addition funds for sports from the kitties of the Ministries of Higher Education, High Education and Security Sector. Ghani stressed that all citizens across the country should have access to sports, particularly football. The President said that every high school, university and security set-ups should have sports facilities available at their disposal.
He thanked organizations striving for the promotion of sports in the country and promised that the government would do more to ensure physical and financial support for it. Ghani also appreciated the efforts Petar Segrt, Croatian-born German coach and former football defender who serve as head coach for the Afghan side.
Your victories on the playing grounds bring smiles to the faces of the countrymen and forget their grievances, Ghani pronouncing the sportsmen pride of the nation. The President said the national players are ideals and exemplary for the youth of the country who are facing issues of joblessness and drug addiction.
Last month, the Afghan football team managed to qualify to the next level of the 2019 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) qualifiers by securing a victory in their last match against Singapore.
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