The 6th round of ski competition Afghan Ski Challenge was inaugurated in central Bamyan province of Afghanistan. Athletes from Afghanistan and abroad will participate in the contest with local officials saying the sporting events will help Bamyan to attract more tourists that could play a key role in expanding the economy. The inauguration ceremony was also attended by cultural activists and high level government officials. Provincial governor Mohammad Tahir Zahir said Bamyan province is the appropriate place to organize ski competitions, considering the geography and climate of the province. Zahir hailed the civil and cultural activists for encouraging and supporting the ski competitions and called it a major achievement for the residents of Bamyan. He admitted that the ongoing violence in the country is a major obstacle to organize big sporting events but he remains hopeful that the situation remains stable in Bamyan so that such events can be organized in the future. The provincial governor also called on technical and expert ski teams participating in the event to identify a specific place where the ski resort could be permanently built. The organizers of the event include Kabir Dadras, head of the provincial information and culture directorate, and Hina Dankan, representative of the Aga Khan Foundation.