National team player Alireza Panahi named Player of the Year as Herat honors top football figures of 2025.
HERAT | By Elyas Niazi
The fifth edition of the Golden Ball Football Awards ceremony was held in Herat, recognizing the top performers in Afghan football for the 2025 season.
Organized by Football C Media in cooperation with the Herat Football Federation, the event brought together key figures from the country’s football community to celebrate achievements across multiple categories, including best player, young player, coach, goalkeeper and referee.
Speaking at the مراسم, Hafiz Ahmad Jan Zadran, Technical and Professional Deputy of the national sports authority and football federation, described such initiatives as essential for motivating athletes and strengthening the sporting environment. He reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to supporting athletes and advancing Afghan sport to compete at regional and international levels.
Among the أبرز winners, national team player Alireza Panahi was named Player of the Year. Qari Yousuf Mohandeszada, head coach of Sorkh Pooshan Khwafi, received the Coach of the Year award, while Yaser Safi was recognized as Best Young Player. Faisal Hamidi was awarded Goalkeeper of the Year.
Award ceremonies such as the Golden Ball reflect a growing effort within Afghanistan’s football sector to institutionalize recognition and professional standards. In a system often constrained by limited infrastructure and resources, such platforms serve not only to honor الأداء but also to reinforce visibility, انگیزه, and structured development within the sport.