The Qatar women's basketball team forfeited a game at the Asian Games on Wednesday after being refused permission to wear the hijab, saying they were taking a stand against what they say is a discriminatory policy against Muslim women.
The Qatari players were asked, in accordance with International Basketball Federation's rules, to remove their headscarfs in order to play against Mongolia.
However, the players refused, saying it violated their religious beliefs and they wanted to send a strong message to the sport's governing federation that the ban was unfair.
"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."
The use of hijabs has become a hot topic in sport in recent years with muslim athletes complaining that they are being discriminated against.
Other sports at the Asian Games allow athletes to wear the hijab. All four members of the Iranian lightweight women's quadruple sculls team wore it as they rowed to a bronze medal on Wednesday.
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