Photos capture Afghanistan's traditional buzkashi tournament near Kabul

Riders from different Afghan provinces compete in the final of Afghanistan's annual buzkashi tournament on the outskirts of Kabul, as spectators, including Taliban authorities, attend the event.

The Associated Press
December 23, 2025 at 11:35AM

KABUL, Afghanistan — Riders from different Afghan provinces compete in the final of Afghanistan's annual buzkashi tournament on the outskirts of Kabul, as spectators, including Taliban authorities, attend the event.

Buzkashi is a traditional equestrian sport in which riders score points by carrying a goat carcass — nowadays replaced by a fake goat carcass — across a goal.

This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.

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Riders from different Afghan provinces compete in the final of Afghanistan's annual buzkashi tournament on the outskirts of Kabul, as spectators, including Taliban authorities, attend the event.