Taliban claims freed U.S. soldier taught captors badminton, celebrated Christmas with them

While the militants attempted to teach the soldier about Islam and provided him with religious books, he preferred more earthly pursuits.

“He would spend more time playing badminton or helping with cooking,” the militant chief said.

“He loved badminton and always played badminton with his handlers, in fact he taught many fighters about the game,” he added.

And the Idaho native made a point of celebrating the Christian festivals he was accustomed to back home, inviting his captors to participate.

“He never missed his religious festivals. He used to tell his handlers they were coming up weeks before Christmas and Easter and celebrated it with them,” he said.