The women’s basketball team of Qatar has withdrawn from the ongoing Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea after being denied permission to wear the hijab for a match against Mongolia.
Following world basketball regulations which prohibits the wearing of headgear and other hair accessories on court, officials had asked the Qatari women to take off their hijabs before they could be allowed to take on Mongolia.
The Qataris however refused to do so and forfeited the match as a result, before deciding to withdraw altogether from the Games as it was apparent that an exception to the FIBA rules would not be made before their scheduled next match against Nepal.
Afterwards, a player with the Qatar basketball team stated that they had been assured of being allowed to use the hijab at the Games before its commencement, adding that “We will not attend any games in this Asian Games unless the officials change their decision.”
While other sports at the Asian Games allow athletes to wear the hijab, basketball remains one of the exceptions though FIBA stated earlier this month that discussions on the issue had taken place and a two-year testing phase on what players can wear was being introduced.
A first report of the test phase would be provided to the Central Board in 2015, which will then determine whether tests at the lowest official international level shall be allowed as of next summer.
Afterwards, a full review will be done in 2016 to take a decision on whether permanent changes to the Official Basketball Rules shall be made and implemented after the 2016 Olympic Games.