Sportswomen in Halls Without Men

Despite a lack of facilities and years of discrimination, Iranian women and girls continue to make a name for themselves in sports. In a new weekly photo-series, IranWire will shed light on some of the most important fringe events and unsung achievements by female athletes in Iran.

Razieh Sohrabi is one of the stars of Tehran's Tasisat Daryaei handball team. Matches for the country’s Handball Premier League resumed in early January but Sohrabi was barred from play 20 minutes into a match between Tasisat and Sepahan, from Isfahan, and had to watch from the stands. Tasisat eventually lost.

Handball players, like most Iranian female athletes, take part in contests under intense scrutiny over what they wear, and particularly whether or not they are veiled. After every collision, match observers warn participants to adjust their hijabs – even though women-only competitions take place without the presence of male spectators.

Leila Bagheri, a player for the Bafgh Iron handball team from Yazd, suffered a severe  knee injury during her team’s match against Sepahan and had to step down. She will miss the rest of the league.

The Women's Football League competitions are also now under way. This week the Zob Ahan Isfahan club was hosted by Alborz in the second group, and won one-nil.

Narsina Tehran has also made its first debut in the Basketball League.

The team has two American players in its squad, including Shumari Harris, considered a minor player but who has had a decisive role in some of Narsina’s early wins.

The Iranian Women's Volleyball League is in its final stages, and four contenders are now battling it out to win the cup. Defending champions Saipa recently faced down their arch-enemies, Zob Ahan Isfahan, and won, edging closer to this year’s championship.