Caption:
In the rugged outskirts of Herat, among piles of broken stones, lives a man whose passion for Buzkashi is intertwined with relentless hardship. Tor Ghul, 34, a professional Buzkashi rider, has spent his life mastering the sport, yet despite his skill, he earns nothing from it. Instead, he struggles to provide for his family and even to feed his beloved horses.
A Legacy of Horsemen
Originally from Faryab, Tor Ghul's family migrated to Herat when he was a child. His father, Jor Ghul, now 53, was also a renowned Buzkashi rider, starting his journey at 22. He recalls the golden era of Buzkashi during the Mujahideen period, when champions received one million Afghanis per match (1992). But those days are long gone, and today, only northern provinces receive strong support for Buzkashi, while riders from Herat struggle without sponsorship.
Life Beneath the Poverty Line
Tor Ghul married at just 14 years old and is now the father of nine children—three sons and six daughters. His eldest son is 21, while the youngest is five. One of his daughters suffers from hearing impairment, but medical treatment is a luxury they cannot afford. Even his 70-year-old mother, Fatima, who suffers from diabetes, remains untreated because Tor Ghul had to sell his mobile phone just to cover some of her expenses.
The family lives far below the poverty line. To survive, Tor Ghul works as a laborer when he's not riding. Their home is surrounded by mountains of broken stones, remnants of their old business—breaking rocks to sell for construction. However, the stone market has collapsed, and they haven't received any contracts for months.
one of his fingers was severed during a fierce match, a painful but honorable sacrifice in the brutal sport.
Horses: Loyal Companions in an Unfair Battle
Despite their three horses, Tor Ghul and his father can only afford to feed them wheat bran, as buying better nutrition is beyond their means. Yet these horses are family, essential for their dreams of Buzkashi.
A Passion Without Reward
For Tor Ghul and his father, Buzkashi is more than a sport—it's a legacy. They continue competing, upholding Afghanistan's national tradition, even as poverty tightens its grip on them. They have sacrificed everything for the game they love, yet they remain financially crippled, forced to break stones, sell personal belongings, and endure hunger.
'We barely survive,' Tor Ghul says. He and his father are still fighting for their dreams. But can Buzkashi, once the pride of Afghanistan, ever give these warriors anything other than struggle and suffering?