THE power of sport to unite has perhaps never been quite as evident as in Afghanistan earlier this month.

In a country decimated by war, oppression and poverty, a game of football served as a vehicle to return hope to a broken people.

As a symbol of good-will, a soccer match was organized between the peace-keeping International Security Assistance Forces (ISAF) and a mixture of local football teams, known collectively as Kabul United. Former Southampton manager Lawrie McMenemy and ex-England international Gary Mabbutt took charge of the two sides.

Bolton television director David Whitney was there to record the events for a Sky Sports documentary and he witnessed first hand the historic proceedings.

Football had been sidelined under the Taliban regime, so this game symbolized a new era.

"It was clearly a very important occasion for the Afghan people," says David.

"On the day of the game there were thousands of people waiting outside the ground from early in the afternoon.

"There were probably around 40,000 in the stadium for the game, and although there was a little bit of trouble outside the ground before kick-off it was more to do with the excitement rather than aggression.

"I was fortunate enough to be pitch-side as I was filming the game, but there was a brilliant atmosphere on the terraces.

"Although it was a friendly match both teams definitely wanted to win, and obviously the Afghans were right behind Kabul United.

"They actually went 1-0 up in the first half. The goal was absolutely perfect for the occasion, it was an overhead kick in to the top corner.

"I have never seen celebrations like it, there was a deafening noise with people jumping up and down around the packed terraces.

"The players went crazy too, there were Premiership-style celebrations on the pitch - in the past they were not allowed to celebrate goals, just give thanks to Allah.

"That goal and the game itself was a break from the past, even though the ISAF eventually won 3-1.

"Once there was football it was like a return to normality for the people. The game had given them something to look forward to in spite of their troubles.

"Now they are hoping to get the national league going again and the Afghanistan F.A. is up and running."

Whilst communications are poor in the third world country, David found that many locals were aware of English football.

He says, "I told an Afghan that I supported Bolton and he had heard of them. Most people seemed to know all about David Beckham and Michael Owen."

The trip was quite an adventure for the 24-year-old from Horwich, who works for a Manchester-based television production company.

Flights out of the country were suspended whilst David was there, which meant a two-day journey by Afghanistan's less than smooth roads over the border to Pakistan.

David had to hire an old minibus and interpreter, as well as two soldiers for security, as he made the trip through the mountainous terrain between Kabul and Islamabad, which is known to be riddled with bandits.

"I was told that it was a very dangerous route and that I should not risk it, but once the game had been played I wanted to get back home to England," he explains.

"Fortunately people were a little more friendly on the journey than they might have been because I had the soldiers with me.

"Although Kabul is reasonably safe, in many of the other towns and cities there is complete lawlessness and it's not uncommon to see kids walking round with kalashnikovs.

"I was never really scared on the whole trip, for me it was just a fabulous adventure."