KABUL, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- A newly constructed gymnasium was formally inaugurated in western Afghanistan's Farah province on Monday.

Aimed at promoting sports in society and built at 19 million afghanis (around 286,000 U.S. dollars) in six months with the capacity of 1,500 spectators at one time, the mayor of Farah city, Mufti Sardar Mohammad Mirsad, said in his opening remarks, urging the citizens to support athletes and the youngsters as part of efforts to promote sports in the country.

This is the first gymnasium in Farah province, the official said, promising to build more facilities to promote all kinds of sports, including football and volleyball, in the province.

Afghan athletes have achieved successes and brought honors, including gold and silver medals from different regional and international games to their country in recent years.