When guns made way for roses in Kabul

You saw how the people of Afghanistan celebrated their football team’s 2-0 win over India in the SAFF Cup final recently. It was the stuff of dreams. For once, guns made way for roses.

Now, let’s hear what Haroon Amiri, the Afghanistan skipper, has to say. “I have lived in Kabul for over 17 years. Never before did I witness people from different political parties celebrate together,” said Amiri, who plays for Mumbai FC in the I-League.

“Earlier, people used to talk about the bloody firing and the deadly bombings.
Now, people talk about football. Winning the SAFF Cup means a lot to our players and our people,” Amiri said on the eve of Mumbai’s match against Sporting Clube de Goa.

Amiri, who has been with the MFC for three seasons now, couldn’t believe how the fairytale win brought together people from different walks of life. “Back home, political parties used to talk with their guns. But it was great to see them hold our national flag for once! This victory has given us a new lease of life.”

Talking about the final, Amiri said playing in the I-League did help his boys tackle the aggressive Indians. “I had a plan for the Indians. I know how they play. It worked,” he said.

For now, he wants his countrymen to embrace peace. “Football can do wonders.
It can unite people. I hope my country prospers. We want to be known as a peace-loving country,” he said.