In a press conference today, September 05, 2016, Afghanistan Football Federation (AFF) officials briefed the media on the new steps that will be taken by AFF, including selection of prospective players for national team. Mr. Keramudin Karim, the president of AFF, Mohammad Yusuf Kargar, Deputy Technical Director of AFF, Sayed Ali Reza Agazada, AFF Secretary General, and chairs of provincial federations have attended the press conference.
Afghanistan Football Federation (AFF) plans to select the prominent and outstanding players of Roshan Afghan Premier League (RAPL) 2016, the 5th season, for national team. This newly-formed team will support and function as a backup option for Afghanistan’s national team. The main goal is to strengthen the national team. Mr. Karim said that a commission will be appointed to select and invite the best players of RAPL 2016 who later will join the national team. AFF president added that the selectees will be trained and mentored by Afghan coaches and AFF will provide all the financial and educational facilities in Kabul.
Moreover, Mr. Yusuf Kargar, Deputy Technical Director of AFF, talked on football games and updates in the provinces. He said that AFF operates actively in all provinces; the presence of players in RAPL 2016 from all regions and zones is the proof of this claim. Kargar added that through RAPL, AFF has conducted regional competitions and tournaments in different provinces in the last six months. Later in a transparent process, best players have been admitted to teams of premier league. These teams are competing for RAPL 2016 championship now in Kabul.
As a panel member, Sayed Ali Reza Aghazada, AFF Secretary General, stated that since 2012 four FIFA major projects have been implemented in Afghanistan. The Afghan sport family is the main beneficiary. He added that Afghanistan is in close contact with FIFA member countries.
At the end of today’s press conference AFF president counted sport as the only path to solidarity and brotherhood in Afghanistan. Additionally, Mr. Karim asked Afghans to cooperate and collaborate in the fight against any sinister issues especially narcotics and take a step in building our country.