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The world's most dangerous golf tournament
As course hazards go, the threat of a suicide bomb attack places the Kabul Golf Course in a class of its own. Four suicide attacks in the Afghan capital in three weeks, the last of which killed 12 people on the road to the clubhouse, ensured that the latest Kabul Desert Classic could safely claim to be the most dangerous golf tournament on earth.The open competition on Afghanistan's only course, was begun in 2005 by aid workers. Funds raised went to an Afghan charity set up by the veteran ITN journalist Sandy Gall. Some of those present suggested that the 3rd Desert Classic might be the last. "It all depends on our foreign friends," said the clubs leathery pro Mohammad Afzal Abdul, 50, a scratch player who has worked the course since the 1970s. "If they stay things could improve. If they leave it to the Afghans, everything will collapse again." Mr Abdul was arrested for two months and beaten with cables after the Taliban found his collection of golf trophies and accused him of working with foreigners.
The event went ahead on Friday with a security cordon provided by a local warlord; a figure described by one Kabul diplomat as "a hard-drinking human rights abuser who should be in The Hague, not on a golf course." Most of the 30 competitors were drawn from the aid worker community. The winners were two Afghan eighteen-year-olds with less than a years golfing experience each. Hashmatullah and Ali, both of whom have only one name, are among the first Afghans to take an interest in the sport and receive daily lessons from the course pro in exchange for a spot of gardening. "I started six months ago and have played every day since," said Hashmatullah, beaming with pride after an impressive 4-under-par round. He hopes to compete for Afghanistan in the Asian Games in Nepal next year if the Afghan government is able to fund a team. Posted by: Pappy 2007-10-27 |
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