Sports

Why Top Indian Shooter Heena Sidhu Pulled Out Of An Event In Iran

Darpan News Desk IANS, 29 Oct, 2016 04:07 PM

Shooter Heena Sidhu Pulls Out of Iran Event Due to Compulsory Hijab Rule

Top Indian shooter Heena Sidhu has withdrawn from the Asian Airgun Shooting Championship in Tehran due to a rule that forces female competitors to wear 'hijab'.

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

Heena, who is the defending champion, took to social micro-blogging site Twitter to list out the reasons behind her decision.

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

The competition's website clearly states that female participants will have to comply by the rules of the Islamic Republic of Iran when in comes to a dress code.

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

Interestingly, this isn't the first time Heena has pulled out from a shooting competition in Iran.

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

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

Heena Sidhu competed at the 2016 Rio Olympics and won a gold medal in the 10m air pistol at the 2013 World Championship.

Prev Next

MORE Sports ARTICLES

Great Goaltending Not Enough, Canada Falls 3-1 To U.S. In Women's World Hockey

Canada didn't capitalize on a 36-save performance by its goalie. The host team fell 3-1 to the U.S. to open the women's world hockey championship Monday in Kamloops, B.C.

Great Goaltending Not Enough, Canada Falls 3-1 To U.S. In Women's World Hockey

Ladd Scores Winner, Blackhawks Hand Struggling Canucks Eighth Straight Loss

Vancouver's march to the draft lottery continued on Sunday as the Canucks lost their eighth game in a row, falling 3-2 to the Chicago Blackhawks after a late go-ahead goal from Andrew Ladd.

Ladd Scores Winner, Blackhawks Hand Struggling Canucks Eighth Straight Loss

Marie Philip-Poulin Named Canada's Captain For Women's World Hockey Championship

The 25-year-old from Beauceville, Que., leads the host team into this year's tournament starting Monday in Kamloops,

Marie Philip-Poulin Named Canada's Captain For Women's World Hockey Championship

B.C. Tests Remote Undersea Glider To Prevent Whale-ship Collisions

"The idea behind the gliders is they can work in real time, or near real time," said Duffus. "The glider rises at a certain interval and sends a signal to a satellite."