Girls Kung Fu team to be launched in Helmand

By Angie Ramos

HELMAND, Mar. 10, (Pajhwok Afghan News) -- Twelve girls from the southwestern province of Helmand are preparing to launch an all girls Kung Fu Twa team in the provinces, Thursday.

Sultana Amini, the team leader, who is an employee of the provincial government of Herat told Pajhwok Afghan News that the twelve girls, four of whom, have returned from Iran or Pakistan want to practice in the game.

"I have talked to the head of the provincial sports department, Ghulam Ghaus Dawari, and the girls' school will provide a space for the girls to begin exercising and practicing their sport,” Ms Amini said.

Ghaus Dawari, chief of sports of Helmand, said it was a good move to have introduced girls to the sport, but there was lack of equipment.

"The big problem now is to find the equipment and I have talked to the Provincial Reconstruction Team who promises us to help," Dawari said.

A former beautician and florist in Iran, the team leader is eager to get a team of girl’s together and provincial teams to eventually compete against each other.

"We can find the money and hire a coach for the girls; we initiated this move in order to encourage the girls," Amini added.

But Amini has found it a great struggle.

She said nobody has helped them yet and that there were some people against girls taking part in sport activities.

This is the first team of women to take part in games in Helmand province.

Pajhwok writer, Mohibullah Roshan, sent this report from Helmand

ENDS