Female boxers in Afghanistan practice their punches - in a gym that was once part of a Taliban punishment centre.<br/> Nineteen-year-old Shabnam and her 18-year old sister Sadaf are part of the country's first team of female boxers.<br/> Both are hoping for a chance to fight at this year's London Olympic Games, where women's boxing will make its debut as a medal sport.<br/> It will be a tough fight as they live in a deeply conservative society where female boxing is considered taboo and many women still struggle to secure an education and work<br/> (SOUNDBITE) (Dari) AFGHAN FEMALE BOXER, SADAF RAHIMI, SAYING:<br/> "My family has been threatened several times because we three sisters are in the boxing club, they asked my family why the three girls from one family are boxing. Boxing is a hard and difficult sport even for men that is why people are surprised and our family was threatened because of our choice."<br/> The women's team was created in 2007 by Afghanistans's National Olympic Committee.<br/> There are now about 25 female boxers registered with the boxing federation who each train three days a week.<br/> Their boxing coach hopes to secure more support to build a boxing ring, improve their equipment and send the girls to international meets.<br/> (SOUNDBITE) (Dari) NISAR AHMAD QARI ZADA FEMALE BOXING COACH SAYING:<br/> "We urge the Afghan government, businessmen and private companies to support the Afghan national Olympics committee and our athletes."<br/> Under the Taliban all sports for women were banned and no Afghan woman to date has ever won a medal at the Olympic Games.<br/> These women are hoping to make history in 2012.<br/> Sunita Rappai, Reuters
