Qatar cagers forfeit match over hijab ruling

INCHEON — The Qatar women’s basketball team forfeited its Asian Games match against Mongolia after players were refused permission to wear a hijab.

Incheon Asian Games Organising Committee spokeswoman Anna Jihyun You told The Associated Press yesterday that the players had refused to take off the hijab and the match was awarded to the opposition.

You said the sport’s world governing body, FIBA, did not provide any instructions on any moves to relax regulations to the match officials, who quoted regulations that prohibit the use of headgear, hair accessories and jewellery in international competition. FIBA earlier this month announced it was launching a two-year trial phase allowing players to wear head coverings, after seeking permission, and in domestic competitions. AP