Qatar have pulled out of the women's basketball competition at the Asian Games after refusing to abide by international regulations preventing them from wearing hijabs. The Qatari players had been asked to remove their head coverings before their opening group game against Mongolia on Wednesday, but chose to pull out of the match instead. According to International Basketball Federation (FIBA) rules, Article 4.2.2 says players cannot wear 'headgear, hair accessories and jewellery'. Qatar have pulled out of the women's basketball competition at the Asian Games after refusing to abide by international regulations preventing them from wearing hijabs With no sign of the rule being relaxed ahead of their next scheduled match against Nepal on Thursday, Qatar decided to withdraw from their remaining games.
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Qatari players were asked to remove their hijabs before their opening match
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But they chose to forfeit the game in the Asian Games instead
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Competition at the Games is down to rules of the sports' governing bodies
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Athletes in other sports can wear hijabs, but basketball remains exception
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The situation has left Qatari athletes confused and angry
Both Qatar games were recorded as 20-0 defeats on the @placeholder' official website.