Qatar Women’s Basketball Team Withdraws from Asian Games over Hijab Ban
TEHRAN (Tasnim) - The Qatari women's basketball team withdrew from the Asian in a protest against international rules that ban players from wearing Muslim headscarves in competition.
Qatar delegation leader Khalid al-Jabir said the team had decided to withdraw and was already preparing to return home.
"We're not forfeiting games — we're not being allowed to play," al-Jabir said in a telephone interview in the hours leading to the Nepal game.
"On the one hand, everyone wants more women to participate in these games and, on the other hand, they're discouraging Muslim women who want to play in hijab."
The Olympic Council of Asia had no immediate comment on the issue, nor did the Asian Games organizing committee.
Earlier this month, FIBA said it was launching a two-year trial phase allowing some players to wear head coverings. But the Swiss-based FIBA issued a clarifying statement saying it "allows exceptions to be applied only at the national level and the Asian Games is an international event."
