The photo collection of Ebrahim Nowrozi, a well-known Iranian photographer, of Afghan women and girls athletes won the Istanbul Photo Award in the "narrative portrait" category.

This collection of photos with the title "Afghan female athletes, banned from sports and afraid of Taliban threats" won the 8th International Istanbul Photo Awards in 2023.

The photos of Mads Nissen, Politican photographer and Panos Pictures about the life of drug addicts in Afghanistan have also been announced as winners in the "Daily Life" category.

Mr. Nowrozi, an Iranian photographer of the Associated Press news agency, photographed women and girls athletes along with their sports equipment in Afghanistan.

These women cover their faces with burqas to protect their identity.

After the Taliban came to power, women and girls were banned from playing sports, and many professional female athletes either fled Afghanistan or hid in their homes due to threats from the Taliban.

Photographers from 116 countries have sent more than 21,000 photos to the Istanbul Photo Awards 2023.

The first winner of this competition will receive $3,000 and a Nikon camera, the second winner will receive $1,500 and the third will receive $1,000.