Noted shooter Heena Sidhu backed out of the Asian Airgun Shooting Championship in Tehran due to a rule that forces women competitors to wear a hijab.
She said that as a sportspersons come from different religions, backgrounds, genders and countries, it was 'not in the spirit of sportsmanship' to make someone wear an hijab against their will.
Sidhu, who had also participated in the 2016 Rio Olympics, took to micro-blogging site Twitter to share her views.
There have been reports abt me skipping the Asian air weapon competition in Iran due to their practice of making women wear hijab. (1)
— Heena sidhu (@HeenaSidhu10) October 29, 2016
Im not a revolutionary. But I feel dat making it mandatory for even a sportsperson to wear hijab is not in the spirit of a Sport. (2)
— Heena sidhu (@HeenaSidhu10) October 29, 2016
Im proud 2 b sportsperson coz ppl from diff cultures, backgrouds, sexes, ideologies, religion can cum 2gether n compete without biases (3)
— Heena sidhu (@HeenaSidhu10) October 29, 2016
Sport is an exhibition of sheer Human Effort nPerformance. Our ability to dig deep for Strength, Will Power and Determination. (4)
— Heena sidhu (@HeenaSidhu10) October 29, 2016
This is d reason I compete n I cannot compete for anything lesser than this. But I wud also not have my personal opinion politicised (5)
— Heena sidhu (@HeenaSidhu10) October 29, 2016
She had written to the National Rifle Association of India three weeks ago.
I thank the NRAI for respecting my views n I wud also like 2wish luck 2 r team competing in Iran. Lets concentrate on competition dan hijab
— Heena sidhu (@HeenaSidhu10) October 29, 2016
The championship is scheduled be held in Iran's capital Tehran in December.
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