DUSHANBE, March 17, 2001, Asia-Plus  -- Horse racing dedicated to the Navrouz holiday will take place in Dushanbe’s hippodrome on March 21, according to the Committee for Youth, Sports and Tourism Affairs.

“Both men and women will take part in this horse racing,” the source said, adding that Buzkashi (goat grabbing) will take place in Dushanbe’s hippodrome on the same day.

Buzkashi is a traditional Central Asian team sport played on horseback. The steppes'' people were skilled riders who could grab a goat or calf from the ground while riding a horse at full gallop. The goal of a player is to grab the carcass of a headless goat or calf and then get it clear of the other players and pitch it across a goal line or into a target circle or vat.

On occasion of the Navrouz holiday, horse racing and Buzkashi will also take place in the Danghara district, Khatlon province on March 19. 

Besides, the republican gushtingiri (Tajik national wrestling) competition dedicated to the Navrouz holiday will take place in Danghara from March 18-19.  16 teams from all regions of the country are expected to gather in Danghara for the gushtingiri competition.