Dozens of women athletes flee AfghanistanPhoto: AFP / Anne Levassur

More than two months after the Taliban came to power in Afghanistan, dozens of women athletes have left the country again. A machine capable of flying from Kabul to Qatar carried 369 passengers, including football players, basketball players and other athletes, on Wednesday. “Today is a very good day for all of us because after several weeks our trekking starts and we are very happy,” said Hehera’s basketball player Tahera Jussofi.

“The Taliban government does not allow us to play and work. Unfortunately, we have to leave the country,” said the 28-year-old, who wants to go to Canada. During the Taliban rule in Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001, women were banned from all sports. Even after they came to power recently, Islamists had indicated that women who engage in sports would face consequences.

Tens of thousands of Afghans have already fled the country for fear of Taliban repression. Among them were members of the women’s national team and other athletes.

Qatar has been conducting evacuation flights from Afghanistan twice a week since August 31. On Wednesday, in addition to the athletes, the ship was carrying people from Germany, Great Britain, Belgium, Ireland, the Netherlands, Canada and Japan.

© 2021 AFP