KABUL, Afghanistan, Aug. 3 (UPI) -- A senior U.N. official presented a trophy to the winners of the first-ever Kabul Girls' Football Competition, a milestone event for young women in Afghanistan.
"Today's competition marks a milestone for young girls in Afghanistan, who just five years ago were not even allowed to attend school, let alone play sports," United Nations Deputy Special Representative for Afghanistan Ameerah Haq said Thursday, following the match
"Sports provide children of all ages, boys and girls, with opportunities to express themselves, to contribute their opinions, and to become agents for change," she said, adding her hope that "participation in events such as this one will inspire young girls to pursue their dreams, in whatever fields interest them."
Kabul is home to 15 football teams for girls, with young women from the ages of 13 to 20 participating.
The winners of today's match, held at the Ministry of Defense Sports Field, will go on to face the winners of other regional competitions in the finals, under the auspices of the Afghanistan Football Federation.
All of the participants in Thursday's competition were presented with footballs made especially for the U.N. Assistance Mission in Afghanistan by disabled Afghans and paid for from staff donations. Over 1,000 footballs will be delivered to schools, orphanages and prisons across Afghanistan.
