(ATR) Qatar says it is "unable to play" women’s basketball at the Asian Games due to a hijab ban.
On Thursday, the Qatar delegation at the ongoing Asian Games in Incheon said the women’s basketball is already making plans to return home.
The team withdrew from Wednesday’s match against Mongolia, walking off the court during team photos, after they were told they would not be allowed to wear her religious head covering. On Thursday, the team did not show up for their match against Nepal.
Khalid al-Jabar, chef de mission for Team Qatar, was quoted in media reports saying, "We're not forfeiting games - we're not being allowed to play.
"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."
For its part, the Olympic Council of Asia said the ban came from the continental association part of FIBA, basketball’s governing body. However, last week, FIBA passed a rule approving the use of religious headgear under certain circumstances.
FIBA did not respond to Around the Rings request for comment.
Written by Ed Hula III
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