Basketball Hijab Ban

Basketball chiefs reversed a controversial ban on professional players wearing headgear Thursday after fierce criticism that the rule undermined diversity by disallowing religious coverings like the Muslim hijab.

The basketball body's ban on headgear more than 5 centimetres (2 inches) wide caused controversy at the September-October Asian Games when Qatar's women's team forfeited their matches after being told they could not wear hijabs.

Qatar captain Amal Mohammed Saleh captain, who plays centre in the hijab, said the ban at the Asian Games made no sense when combat sports had allowed it.

Qatar women's basketball team pulled out of the Asian Games over a rule banning Muslim headscarves,traditionally known as the hijab.

A Qatari official said the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) rule, which bans all headwear on safety grounds, ran contrary to Olympic principles on diversity.

Basketball chiefs reversed a controversial ban on professional players wearing headgear Thursday after fierce criticism that the rule undermined diversity by disallowing religious coverings like the Muslim hijab.

The basketball body's ban on headgear more than 5 centimetres (2 inches) wide caused controversy at the September-October Asian Games when Qatar's women's team forfeited their matches after being told they could not wear hijabs.

Qatar captain Amal Mohammed Saleh captain, who plays centre in the hijab, said the ban at the Asian Games made no sense when combat sports had allowed it.

Qatar women's basketball team pulled out of the Asian Games over a rule banning Muslim headscarves,traditionally known as the hijab.

A Qatari official said the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) rule, which bans all headwear on safety grounds, ran contrary to Olympic principles on diversity.