Soccer player embodies one Afghanistan success story: sports - latimes

 As far back as he can remember, soccer has been part of Shafaq Ayobi's life.

The middle child of 11 siblings, Ayobi said it was his three older brothers, who played on local soccer teams, who inspired him.  "I always thought to myself, one day I will play like them."

Ayobi was 8 when his family fled growing insecurity in Laghman for the eastern city of Jalalabad. After playing in a high school match and scoring goal after goal, Ayobi was taken under the wing of one of his brothers.

Now 23, Ayobi has surpassed his brothers, becoming a star forward in the Roshan Afghan Premier League, a national soccer league launched in 2012 that has become increasingly popular.

Ayobi plays for De Spinghar Bazan, representing Nangarhar province, the focus of some of the heaviest fighting in Afghanistan in recent years. Since joining the team two years ago, Ayobi has earned an avid following in Kabul, Jalalabad and his home province.

Though few people in Laghman have access to television, fans there often tell Ayobi they never miss a match.

"These people, many of whom are so poor, follow each of my matches on the radio," he said. "I can't tell you how much that means to me." - Read More 

Soccer player embodies one Afghanistan success story: sports

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