Qatar forfeit second women’s basketball match at Asian Games

Players slam headscarf ban an ‘insult’

Nepal team members leave the field as Qatar team did not turn up for the women's preliminary round basketball match at the 17th Asian Games in Incheon on Thursday. Qatar's delegation chief says the women's basketball team has withdrawn from the Asian Games after organizers refused to let players wear hijabs in competition.

The Qatar women’s basketball team forfeited a second group stage match at the Asian Games on Thursday after being forbidden from playing in hijabs.

On Wednesday Qatar forfeited by refusing to take to the court to face Mongolia without being allowed to wear hijabs, and did not turn up for their second match of the tournament against Nepal the next day.

While hijabs are permitted in other sports, the basketball ruling body FIBA has not yet approved their use in all competitions.

Ahlam Salem M Al-Mana, president of the Qatar Women’s Sport Committee, said after the first scratched game that the team had arrived in Incheon, South Korea, prepared to make a point.

“We have to take this stand,” she said. “Let the international association accept us.

“We are here to push the international association that all Muslim teams are ready to compete in any competition. We knew about the hijab ban, but we have to be here.

“We have to show everyone that we are ready to play, but the international association is not ready.”