Afghanistan’s female volleyball players and cyclists have spoken of the threats and violence they have faced since the Taliban takeover of the country last month.

Speaking to the BBC, volleyball players Zahra Fayazi and Sophia told how a former teammate had been shot dead last month.

"I'm sure it was the Taliban," said Sophia, who was using a pseudonym to protect her family in Afghanistan. "At that time the Taliban was overtaking all of the cities and there were no other groups that would do this."

"She was only a player and she didn't do anything for people to want to attack her. We are all shocked about how it happened, we couldn't believe it. Maybe we will lose other friends."

Sophia fled Afghanistan two years ago after she was stabbed by two men in Kabul. Fayazi, who played for the Afghan women’s volleyball team for seven years before going into coaching, left the country for the UK last month.

She told the BBC about the players still in Afghanistan, revealing those "living in the provinces had to leave and live in other places."

"They even burned their sports equipment to save themselves and their families. They didn't want them to keep anything related to sport. They are scared.

"Many of our players who are from provinces were threatened many times by their relatives who are Taliban and Taliban followers. The Taliban asked our players' families to not allow their girls to do sport, otherwise they will be faced with unexpected violence."

The Taliban regained control of Afghanistan in August, after previously ruling the country from 1996 until 2001. The group imposes its own strict version of Sharia, or Islamic law, which severely restricts the freedoms of women.

As a result, it is expected women will no longer be able to play sport in the country. Like Fayazi, many female athletes have fled the country.

Lewes FC’s new head of performance Kelly Lindsey recently spoke to GiveMeSport Women about her role in the evacuation of the women’s football team.

Those still in Afghanistan face a bleak future. The Telegraph spoke to Nazifa, a cyclist on the women’s national team. She said she was unable to destroy her medals, even though having them in her possession put her in danger.

"I’ve worked so hard to achieve what I have," she said. "I feel too much pain at the thought of destroying them all. I can’t do it, so I’ve hidden them.

"I know it will create a problem if the Taliban come and search my house. I don’t know how they would treat me.

"I had big dreams and my future was very bright, but now the situation is very uncertain."