APL

Murtaza, the newest member of De Maiwand Atalan, wasn't able to attend school after 6th grade and had to support his father to feed the family. Since then, he has been working hard full-time in their shop selling shoes and hoping to thrive in another area of his life other than school. That is when football and later RAPL came to his rescue.

Murtaza Jafari is 21 years of age from Helmand province and the newest member of De Maiwand Atalan playing in defense position.

"I remember that I was really good in school but didn't have the chance to prove myself. However, I was lucky to start playing football from an early age and become good at it." Murtaza said. He is happy that his  father supports his football career and spares him the time to train. He has focused his full energy to succeed and prove the best of himself  on the pitch.

Before joining De Maiwand Atalan, he used to play for the Maiwand Football Team in Helmand city for 6 years. This year, it was his third time to show up for De Maiwand Atalan's tryouts. He failed the first two but didn't gave up to train harder and succeed in the third year.

As Murtaza kept telling me about his experience to make it to the team, I couldn't ignore to notice the big smile on his face. He has really worked hard and defied every possible hurdle in his way to get to where he stands and now wants to make the most out of this opportunity in front of him. Here you have a guy who wants to be the best in whatever he chooses to do and now RAPL gives him the pitch and the audience to prove it.

He has lived all his life with his parents and nine siblings in Helmand city. This his first time to travel to Kabul and he thinks everyone is in rush in here compared to his hometown. " I went for a walk the other day and was close to get hit by a car on the street." he said.

De Maiwand Atalan has attracted many of the top football players from other regions in its formation this year and expectations are high from this team to advance in the championship match. They are the first of the eight RAPL teams to arrive in Kabul and already start their training sessions.

"It was weird for me and I find myself extremely lucky to suddenly get all the attention after my name was announced on Green Field on TOLO TV." He said. He aims to be the ideal role-model and use the RAPL platform to convey to young people to never give up on their dreams.

This story is not unique,  it is shared by many young people coming from the least secure provinces such as Helmand. They are tired of war and violence and are eager to exhibit their special talents to the whole nation.

The 2015 RAPL Main Event is set to kick off on August 27 to bring excitement and joy for millions of Afghans across the country.