Asia Album: Traditional goat grabbing game on horseback in Afghanistan

Afghan horse riders compete for a goat in a Buzkashi game in Bamyan province, Afghanistan on Feb. 19, 2023. (Photo by Ziaodin Azad/Xinhua)

BAMYAN, Afghanistan, Feb. 21 (Xinhua) -- Afghan horse riders galloped over sand fields in Bamiyan province and competed for a goat during Buzkashi, the country's much-beloved "goat grabbing" game.

With over 600 years of history, Buzkashi is the Afghan version of a sport akin to polo that prevails across Central Asia. Rival teams of horsemen battle for grabbing a goat carcass and carrying it through a goal whilst evading the opponents.

Afghan horse riders compete for a goat in a Buzkashi game in Bamyan province, Afghanistan on Feb. 19, 2023. (Photo by Ziaodin Azad/Xinhua)

Afghan horse riders compete for a goat in a Buzkashi game in Bamyan province, Afghanistan on Feb. 19, 2023. (Photo by Ziaodin Azad/Xinhua)

Afghan horse riders compete for a goat in a Buzkashi game in Bamyan province, Afghanistan on Feb. 19, 2023. (Photo by Ziaodin Azad/Xinhua)

Afghan horse riders compete for a goat in a Buzkashi game in Bamyan province, Afghanistan on Feb. 19, 2023. (Photo by Ziaodin Azad/Xinhua)

Afghan horse riders compete for a goat in a Buzkashi game in Bamyan province, Afghanistan on Feb. 19, 2023. (Photo by Ziaodin Azad/Xinhua) ■