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Female boxing club in Afghanistan

Tuesday 11 March 2014 15:15 GMT

The Afghanistan National Olympic Committee boxing club includes fewer than a dozen women. It was previously supported by nongovernmental organizations however in recent years the club has struggled financially

In pictures: Female boxing club in Afghanistan

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1/10In pictures: Female boxing club in Afghanistan

In pictures: Female boxing club in Afghanistan

Afghanistan

The Afghanistan National Olympic Committee boxing club includes fewer than a dozen women. It was previously supported by nongovernmental organizations however in recent years the club has struggled financially

In pictures: Female boxing club in Afghanistan

Afghanistan

An Afghan female boxer prepares for practice at the Kabul Stadium boxing club

In pictures: Female boxing club in Afghanistan

Afghanistan

Afghan women boxers during their training at the Kabul stadium boxing club

In pictures: Female boxing club in Afghanistan

Afghanistan

Afghan female boxers arrive for practice at the Kabul Stadium boxing club. A few yellow lamps light up the cavernous, sparsely furnished room where Afghanistan's young boxers train, hoping to become good enough to compete in the 2016 Olympics

In pictures: Female boxing club in Afghanistan

Afghanistan

Afghan women boxers warm up for practice at the Kabul stadium boxing club. The women, who are 18 and older, don't have much more than determination, and a trainer who runs them through their paces, watches as they spar, corrects their technique, tells them when to jab, how to protect themselves, when to power through with a left and then a right

In pictures: Female boxing club in Afghanistan

Afghanistan

An Afghan female boxer jumps rope during a practice session at the Kabul Stadium boxing club. The sportswomen share a camaraderie, laughing and teasing each other until the serious business of training begins

In pictures: Female boxing club in Afghanistan

Afghanistan

An Afghan female boxer tries to do pull-ups during a practice session at the Kabul Stadium boxing club

In pictures: Female boxing club in Afghanistan

Afghanistan

On the beginning there were 25 young women in the club who received a salary the equivalent of $100 per month and transportation to and from the Kabul Stadium where they train

In pictures: Female boxing club in Afghanistan

Afghanistan

Aid organizations have dropped out and no longer support the club. Afghanistan's National Olympic Committee took over, but it has little money for the women. The budget was slashed and the women lost their salaries They get a place to train, their boxing gloves and, occasionally, transportation costs

In pictures: Female boxing club in Afghanistan

Afghanistan

Their trainer pairs them off and in turn they get into the rings to practice in hope for a better future

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