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CNN Live Saturday

Afghans Play 'Take Away the Goat' Again After Being Outlawed by Taliban

Aired December 29, 2001 - 17:26   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN ANCHOR: Brace yourself for an odd symbol of life returning to normal in Afghanistan, normal being a relative term. Here's CNN's John Vause.

JOHN VAUSE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): When Afghan play, they play fast, furious, and hard. The game is Biscachi (ph) , literal translation: Take away the goat, a traditional Afghan game and this is the first match played in Kabul since sport was outlawed by the Taliban.

"During the Taliban, people forgot about Biscachi because of their problems," says Mohammed Shefi (ph) . "Today, we are all feeling happy."

In city deprived of fun for so many years, this afternoon match drew thousands to a dusty field. There are virtually no rules in Biscachi, but sides fight over the body of a headless goat. Today they were using a calf. To score a point they must carry it around a flag and then drop it in a circle. They armed with whips, beating whoever has the calf's body while his teammates try to run defense. Whoever scores the point wins not only admiration, but also hard cash. It is chaotic and confusing, especially for those who crowd the field and must dodge the galloping horses.

(on camera): This really is a sport where you do not want front row seats. There are no boundary lines here so these horses can often charge into the crowd. Quite often the spectators have a better chance of being hurt than the players on the field -- like right now! Here they come again!

(voice-over): Playing today, a team from a Kuwan (ph) , a nearby province and the Kabul national Olympic team. No one where the Olympic part came from, the game ended in a draw, nine all. But for the British ambassador who has been in and out of Afghanistan for more than 20 years and a devoted Biscachi fan, this was more than just a game.

ANDREW TESORIERE, BRITISH AMBASSADOR: I think it reflect the spirit of the people here. I was thinking of sending a short cable or telegram Hearlingham (ph) Polo Club to see if they would like to come along and show their skills.

VAUSE: It is unlike Bischachi will ever catch on anywhere else. After all, they have been playing it in this part of the world for 500 years.

John Vause, CNN, Kabul.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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