Paintballing in Kabul

Paintballing in Kabul

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In a city more closely associated with real gunfire and explosions, paintballing may be the last thing that comes to mind.

But in deeply conservative Kabul, dozens of Afghans flock to the Oqab Paintball Club each week to to take their mind off decades of war.

. KABUL, Afghanistan. REUTERS/Omar Sobhani

Oqab, which means “eagle” in Farsi, opened in Kabul last summer and draws dozens of Afghans of all ages each week, donning combat vests and helmets and shooting bullets packed with colourful paint.

The club has 18 permanent members registered with the Afghanistan National Olympic Committee, among them six women.

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Slideshow

Women adjust their goggles before their paintball game.
. KABUL, Afghanistan. REUTERS/Omar Sobhani

Women adjust their goggles before their paintball game.

Members of the club load paintball bullets into a gas-powered gun.
. KABUL, Afghanistan. REUTERS/Omar Sobhani

Members of the club load paintball bullets into a gas-powered gun.

A member of Oqab paintball club talks to the participants before the game begins.
. KABUL, Afghanistan. REUTERS/Omar Sobhani

A member of Oqab paintball club talks to the participants before the game begins.

Women are seen through a tyre.
. KABUL, Afghanistan. REUTERS/Omar Sobhani

Women are seen through a tyre.

Women hold up their paintball guns.
. KABUL, Afghanistan. REUTERS/Omar Sobhani

Women hold up their paintball guns.

Players take their positions.
. KABUL, Afghanistan. REUTERS/Omar Sobhani

Players take their positions.

A woman runs during the game.
. KABUL, Afghanistan. REUTERS/Omar Sobhani

A woman runs during the game.

Players celebrate after a match.
. KABUL, Afghanistan. REUTERS/Omar Sobhani

Players celebrate after a match.

A helmet lies on the ground.
. KABUL, Afghanistan. REUTERS/Omar Sobhani

A helmet lies on the ground.