Photos: Kashmir athletes struggle during COVID-19 lockdown

Kayaker Vilayat Hussain practices on a rugged under-construction wooden ergometer at his home on the outskirts of Srinagar. Like many other athletes, the coronavirus pandemic has restricted Hussain to his home. He says going out for practice with others is too high a risk but his priority remains to keep fit. So, he made the wooden Ergometer which still doesn’t have cable and weights to properly work on. “It helps me to maintain my workouts even though it is far from what it should look like,” Hussain says.

Kashmiri football coach Qudsiya Altaf, right, and her sister Kabra Altaf, a judo champion, practice inside a school compound that belongs to their father, near their home in Srinagar. Like many other athletes, the coronavirus pandemic has restricted the sisters to their neighborhood.

Taekwondoin Afreen Hyder practices in her apartment's corridor in Srinagar. The 20-year-old martial arts player shares a two-bedroom apartment with her parents in the region’s main city of Srinagar. She has had to practice her sport at home due to the lockdown.

An ultra-marathon runner Hamid Aziz practices on the roof of an abandoned community hall outside his house in Srinagar. “By staying home, we can win this fight against the unknown opponent before facing a known opponent on the track,” Aziz says.

Wushu champion Aijaz Hassan practices inside his home in Srinagar. “Last year I was able to do my practice at the indoor stadium near my home. But this year the lockdown has forced me and many others like me to practice at home,” Hassan says.

Weightlifter Bashir Ahmed practices at his home in Srinagar. The coronavirus pandemic has restricted Ahmed to his home.

Kashmiri boxer Eyed Akeel Khan practices inside his house in Srinagar.

Boxing gloves of Eyed Akeel Khan lie on the floor of the room where he practices in Srinagar.

Wushu artist Aliza Shah, left, practices along with her sister Kaifa Shah inside their home in Srinagar.

Umer Nabi cycles on top of rollers inside his home in Burzahamahe, on the outskirts of Srinagar.

Football coach Qudsiya Altaf poses for a photograph during practice inside a school compound that belongs to her father, near her home in Srinagar.

Wushu artist Aliza Shah, left, practices along with her sister Kaifa Shah inside their home in Srinagar.

Weights lie next to a makeshift bench of tin boxes and wooden plank covered with thermocol inside the room of weightlifter Bashir Ahmed in Srinagar.