On 25 May 2007 Sanayee Development Organization SDO, with cooperation of Afghanistan National Football Federation ANFF, organized a one-day first ever mini football tournament entitled Your Voice Against Poverty in Kabul. Eight leading football teams (SDO team A & B, National Army, Kabul Bank, Maiwand, Sabawoon, Selected Team of Afghanistan and Hindokush) participated in this tournament. The members of these teams are poor and homeless youth coming from different areas and ethnic groups of Afghanistan.
The tournament was held on newly built football and futsal ground built by SDO and Norwegian Church Aid NCA. On this day, this football ground was also inaugurated. This is the first football ground built in Afghanistan that includes a mini football ground. The ground is built considering the international standards (Homeless World Cup).
The main objective of organizing this tournament was to advocate for eradication of poverty in Afghanistan. Around 1000 spectators from different walks of life (political leaders, community leaders, civil society activist, and other people) were present. This event was covered by local and national media groups (Tolo TV, National TV, Araina TV, Shamshad TV and Lemar TV) because this was new for them.
Mini football was really interesting for most of the spectators. This was the first time mini football was introduced to Afghanistan. Here are some of the comments of the spectators about this tournament:
Sayed Nasrat, head of mini football in Afghanistan said,”Mini football is introduced to Afghanistan by SDO and this can be counted as an important step towards promotion of this sport. This will provide the opportunity for Afghanistan to participate in mini football world cup. I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to SDO for their great initiative.”
Murtaza one of the viewers said, “It is really interesting to watch mini football. I think one ground is not enough and there is a need for more and more grounds in Afghanistan so that more players play this game.”
Farid Amini SDO football trainer said, “This is the first time mini football tournament is being held. If continues, it will be really effective.”
At end of the tournament Haji Mohammad Mohaqiq, an MP from Kabul distributed gifts provided by SDO to three wining teams.