Afghanistan's lost female athletes - in pictures

The Taliban has banned women from playing sport, but some refuse to give up the games they love

Girls and women in Afghanistan have been barred from playing sports by the Taliban, but some refuse to give up the games they love. All photos: AP

Women took part in sports including the Chinese martial art of wushu before the Taliban returned to power in 2021. Some continue to practise their sports in secret.

An Afghan woman with her cricket bat in Kabul. The Taliban have issued bans on girls' education and barred women from many types of work.

Female Muay Thai enthusiasts in Kabul. Afghanistan's former government introduced national sports programmes and school clubs for women and girls.

A Muay Thai competitor with a punching bag used for training.

A mixed martial artist with her trophies in Kabul. A female competitor has said she was forced to flee a tournament in the Afghan capital as the Taliban advanced in 2021.

An Afghan woman plays volleyball. The Taliban’s Sports Organisation and National Olympic Committee has said the authorities are looking for ways to restart sports for women.

The Taliban have enforced a dress code for women, as well as barring them from education.

An Afghan girl who once took part in taekwondo. Several women in the country used to practise martial arts.

An Afghan girl with her skateboard. Women in once enjoyed sports have faced threats from the Taliban.

Noura, a female footballer, says she was beaten by her mother when she was 13 after gaining national recognition as the best player in her age category. "That was the beginning of worse days," she says.

Noura later turned to boxing. She says she cut her wrists and required hospital treatment after the Taliban swept into Kabul.

A woman with the equipment she used to build strength while practising ju-jitsu.

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