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WOMEN IN SPORTS

Afghanistan’s female athletes, under the Taliban yoke

The photojournalist Ebrahim Noroozi, from the Associated Press agency, was in Kabul where he captured images of women in burkas who claim their right to once again practice professionally in their country

El País

Jan 12, 2023 - 13:29CET

An Afghan woman who practices Muay Thai, or Thai boxing, poses for a photo in Kabul, Afghanistan. The ruling Taliban have banned women from sports, as well as barring them from most schooling and many realms of work. — An Afghan woman who practices Muay Thai, or Thai boxing, poses for a photo in Kabul, Afghanistan. The ruling Taliban have banned women from sports, as well as barring them from most schooling and many realms of work. Ebrahim Noroozi (AP/LAPRESSE)

Something as simple as riding a bicycle is forbidden for women in Afghanistan. Cycling professionally is also out of the question. With their rise to power, the Taliban have kept women out of parks and gyms. In this picture, an Afghan woman poses with her bicycle, concealing her identity. — Something as simple as riding a bicycle is forbidden for women in Afghanistan. Cycling professionally is also out of the question. With their rise to power, the Taliban have kept women out of parks and gyms. In this picture, an Afghan woman poses with her bicycle, concealing her identity.Ebrahim Noroozi (AP/LAPRESSE)

An Afghan woman who practices jiujitsu, a Japanese martial art, poses with a sledgehammer she uses for strength exercises in Kabul, Afghanistan. One female athlete interviewed by AP recalls she was competing in a local women's tournament when the Taliban arrived in Kabul. Word spread through the crowd that the Taliban were advancing on the outskirts of the city. All the women and girls fled the pavilion. It was the last competition she participated in. — An Afghan woman who practices jiujitsu, a Japanese martial art, poses with a sledgehammer she uses for strength exercises in Kabul, Afghanistan. One female athlete interviewed by AP recalls she was competing in a local women's tournament when the Taliban arrived in Kabul. Word spread through the crowd that the Taliban were advancing on the outskirts of the city. All the women and girls fled the pavilion. It was the last competition she participated in.Ebrahim Noroozi (AP/LAPRESSE)

An Afghan woman poses with a basketball in Kabul, Afghanistan. Women's team sports have been banned under the Taliban. Even the captain of the women's wheelchair basketball team has had to take refuge in Spain. — An Afghan woman poses with a basketball in Kabul, Afghanistan. Women's team sports have been banned under the Taliban. Even the captain of the women's wheelchair basketball team has had to take refuge in Spain.Ebrahim Noroozi (AP/LAPRESSE)

An Afghan women's soccer team poses for a photo. Noura, one of the young women interviewed by AP, started out playing soccer in the street with kids in the neighborhood. At the age of nine, a coach noticed her and she joined a girls' youth team. She kept it a secret, but at 13, she was named the best girls' soccer player of her age, and her picture and name appeared on television. She was beaten by her mother. She continued to play secretly, but under the Taliban, this is no longer possible. — An Afghan women's soccer team poses for a photo. Noura, one of the young women interviewed by AP, started out playing soccer in the street with kids in the neighborhood. At the age of nine, a coach noticed her and she joined a girls' youth team. She kept it a secret, but at 13, she was named the best girls' soccer player of her age, and her picture and name appeared on television. She was beaten by her mother. She continued to play secretly, but under the Taliban, this is no longer possible.Ebrahim Noroozi (AP/LAPRESSE)

Although Afghan society was mostly opposed to women's sports even before the Taliban took over, there were women in the country who defied this opposition and practiced sports professionally. In this image, an Afghan woman who practices Muay Thai or Thai boxing. — Although Afghan society was mostly opposed to women's sports even before the Taliban took over, there were women in the country who defied this opposition and practiced sports professionally. In this image, an Afghan woman who practices Muay Thai or Thai boxing.Ebrahim Noroozi (AP/LAPRESSE)

The woman volleyball player in this picture covers up her identity for fear of reprisals. Mahjabin Hakimi, a young player in the Afghan volleyball team, was one of the promising players in the field and participated in international and national competitions with a club in Kabul. She was beheaded by the Taliban in October 2021. — The woman volleyball player in this picture covers up her identity for fear of reprisals. Mahjabin Hakimi, a young player in the Afghan volleyball team, was one of the promising players in the field and participated in international and national competitions with a club in Kabul. She was beheaded by the Taliban in October 2021.Ebrahim Noroozi (AP/LAPRESSE)

Women who practice sports in Afghanistan have received intimidating phone calls and visits from the Taliban. The Taliban believe playing sports goes against a woman's modesty and role in society. In this picture, an Afghan girl poses with her skateboard. — Women who practice sports in Afghanistan have received intimidating phone calls and visits from the Taliban. The Taliban believe playing sports goes against a woman's modesty and role in society. In this picture, an Afghan girl poses with her skateboard.Ebrahim Noroozi (AP/LAPRESSE)

An Afghan mixed martial arts fighter poses with her trophies in Kabul. Beatings from parents and ridicule from neighbors were not enough to intimidate these athletes, who wanted to practice the sport they loved. After the arrival of the Taliban, they say they are not the same people. — An Afghan mixed martial arts fighter poses with her trophies in Kabul. Beatings from parents and ridicule from neighbors were not enough to intimidate these athletes, who wanted to practice the sport they loved. After the arrival of the Taliban, they say they are not the same people.Ebrahim Noroozi (AP/LAPRESSE)

In this photo, an Afghan girl practices taekwondo. Women who practice taekwondo are finding it increasingly difficult to play the sport in Afghanistan. The women's national team has opted to change their training venues for fear of the consequences of being discovered. — In this photo, an Afghan girl practices taekwondo. Women who practice taekwondo are finding it increasingly difficult to play the sport in Afghanistan. The women's national team has opted to change their training venues for fear of the consequences of being discovered. Ebrahim Noroozi (AP/LAPRESSE)

Afghanistan’s female athletes — The Afghanistan women's national soccer team fled to Australia when the Taliban took over. In this photo, an Afghan women's soccer team poses for a photo.Ebrahim Noroozi (AP/LAPRESSE)

Afghan women played a wide variety of sports, including cricket. A number of women posed for an AP photographer for portraits with the equipment of the sports they loved. Though they do not necessarily wear the burqa in regular life, they chose to hide their identities with their burqas because they fear Taliban reprisals and because some of them continue to practice their sports in secret. — Afghan women played a wide variety of sports, including cricket. A number of women posed for an AP photographer for portraits with the equipment of the sports they loved. Though they do not necessarily wear the burqa in regular life, they chose to hide their identities with their burqas because they fear Taliban reprisals and because some of them continue to practice their sports in secret. Ebrahim Noroozi (AP/LAPRESSE)

Afghan women who practice Muay Thai, or Thai boxing, pose for a photo in Kabul. Mushwanay, a spokesman of the Taliban’s Sports Organisation and National Olympic Committee, said authorities are looking for a way to restart sports for women by building separate sport venues. But he gave no timeframe, and said extra funds were needed. Taliban authorities have repeatedly made similar promises to allow girls from the age of around 12 and upwards to return to school, but have still not done so. — Afghan women who practice Muay Thai, or Thai boxing, pose for a photo in Kabul. Mushwanay, a spokesman of the Taliban’s Sports Organisation and National Olympic Committee, said authorities are looking for a way to restart sports for women by building separate sport venues. But he gave no timeframe, and said extra funds were needed. Taliban authorities have repeatedly made similar promises to allow girls from the age of around 12 and upwards to return to school, but have still not done so.Ebrahim Noroozi (AP/LAPRESSE)

"There are people here who don't want us women to improve by ourselves. I love to fight against this stupidity and keep training," Sima Azimi told EL PAÍS in 2017. She was one of the young women who practiced martial arts in Afghanistan and faced the prejudices of the detractors of women's sports. For these women, part of the attraction of martial arts is to learn how to defend themselves. In this photo, Afghan girls practice wushu, a Chinese martial art. — "There are people here who don't want us women to improve by ourselves. I love to fight against this stupidity and keep training," Sima Azimi told EL PAÍS in 2017. She was one of the young women who practiced martial arts in Afghanistan and faced the prejudices of the detractors of women's sports. For these women, part of the attraction of martial arts is to learn how to defend themselves. In this photo, Afghan girls practice wushu, a Chinese martial art.Ebrahim Noroozi (AP/LAPRESSE)

An Afghan woman boxer in Kabul, Afghanistan. In Afghanistan, women also practiced conventional boxing. In fact, Sadaf Rahmini made history by being the first female boxer to be invited to the 2012 London Olympics. "I'll proudly fight for women and Afghanistan," she said. Another of her famous quotes is: "The first time I hit someone it was in my village, I was 11. It was actually my cousin...afterwards he said I hit him so hard that I should become a boxer!" — An Afghan woman boxer in Kabul, Afghanistan. In Afghanistan, women also practiced conventional boxing. In fact, Sadaf Rahmini made history by being the first female boxer to be invited to the 2012 London Olympics. "I'll proudly fight for women and Afghanistan," she said. Another of her famous quotes is: "The first time I hit someone it was in my village, I was 11. It was actually my cousin...afterwards he said I hit him so hard that I should become a boxer!"Ebrahim Noroozi (AP/LAPRESSE)

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