Dozens of female athletes fleeing AfghanistanPhoto: AFP / Anne Levasseur

More than two months after the Taliban came to power in Afghanistan, dozens of female athletes have fled the country again. Football players, basketball players and other athletes were among 369 passengers on board the machine that left Kabul for Qatar on Wednesday. “Today is a great day for all of us, as our trek begins after several weeks and we are very happy,” said Herat basketball player Tahera Jusofi.

“The Taliban government doesn’t let us play or work, and unfortunately we have to leave the country,” said the 28-year-old, who wants to travel to Canada. During the Taliban rule in Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001, women were banned from all sports. Even after coming to power recently, Islamists had indicated that women practicing the sport could face consequences.

Tens of thousands of Afghans have already left the country for fear of repression by the Taliban. These included members of the women’s national team and other athletes.

Qatar has been conducting evacuation flights from Afghanistan almost twice a week since August 31. On Wednesday, apart from the athletes, others including citizens of Germany, Great Britain, Belgium, Ireland, the Netherlands, Canada and Japan were on board.

© 2021 AFP