It's expected that Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) announce 2013 FIFA superior faces tonight in the Swiss city of Zurich. This year, Afghanistan is also among the candidates for FIFA Fair Play Award and this would be one of the greatest events in the sports history of the country if it won the award.
In Afghanistan, only TOLOnews and Lemar televisions have the legal permit for live broadcast of the award distribution ceremony.
Tonight the Swiss city of Zurich will host one of the memorable events of football and famous faces from the world of football have gathered to attend the ceremony. This year Afghanistan is one of the candidates for 2013 FIFA Fair Play Award.
"Victory of Afghanistan National Football Team is the main reason which pave the way to the country to be one of the candidates for the award, I firmly believe that with the help Allah, Afghanistan will succeed gaining the award, this is one of the major football events for which Afghanistan has been nominated," AFF technical deputy Yousaf Kargar said.
At the event, held annually on January 13, brings together the top international footballers of the year - as of now including Lionnel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Frank Ribery - to await news of who will take home the famous Golden Boot award, which is given to purportedly the best player of the year.
Afghanistan's win in the South Asian Football Championship (SAFF) Cup likely paved the way for Afghanistan to be nominated for the 2013 FIFA Fair Play Award, it being the first international title in the nation's football history. However, the high-profile win against Pakistan, in what was the first time the two teams had faced-off in Kabul in 37 years, also likely played a role.
In the meantime, a number of lawmakers and senators have appreciated Afghanistan's success being nominated ted for 2013 FIFA Fair Play Award.
"Nomination for 2013 FIFA Fair Play is a great achievement to the war-devastated Afghanistan, even developed countries not succeeded to achieve this opportunity despite they maintain all sorts of facilities and resources," Senator Lailuma Ahmadi said.
"It's really a matter of proud and honor that Afghanistan's football grew and FIFA decided to nominate Afghanistan for the award," Afghan football Zalmai Syed Ali added.
"It's a great achievement being nominated for 2013 FIFA Fair Play Award, this shows the capability and outstanding performance of our players," another footballer Moeen Hamidi stated.