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Top Indian shooter Heena Sidhu has withdrawn from the Asian Airgun Shooting Championship in Tehran due to a rule that forces female competitors to wear 'hijab'.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

FOX Says US-China Women's World Cup Match Drew 5.7 Million Viewers

The second-ranked U.S. women beat China 1-0 on Friday night to advance to a semifinal match against top-ranked Germany on Tuesday night.

FOX Says US-China Women's World Cup Match Drew 5.7 Million Viewers

Canada Exits Women's World Cup, Paying For Defensive Lapses Against England

VANCOUVER — Canada took its time leaving the stadium Saturday night after exiting the Women's World Cup in a painful 2-1 quarter-final loss to England.

Canada Exits Women's World Cup, Paying For Defensive Lapses Against England

Coach John Herdman Says His Team Has Made Canada Proud, Now It's Time To Make History

"Two games away from the final. A couple of opponents in our way. Let's do it," the Canadian coach told his pre-match news conference Friday.

Coach John Herdman Says His Team Has Made Canada Proud, Now It's Time To Make History

After Battling Injury, Diana Matheson Ready And Available For Canada

After recovering from knee surgery, a broken foot and quad strain, the veteran midfielder was smiling ahead of Canada's quarter-final showdown with England at the Women's World Cup on Saturday.

After Battling Injury, Diana Matheson Ready And Available For Canada

English Coach Says Canada Feeling World Cup Heat Despite Easy Ride From Refs

England coach Mark Sampson has fired an early volley ahead of Saturday's Women's World Cup quarter-final with Canada, saying the host country is feeling the pressure despite getting an easy ride from tournament referees.

English Coach Says Canada Feeling World Cup Heat Despite Easy Ride From Refs

England Says Canada Won't Know What To Expect In Women's World Cup Quarter-Final

VANCOUVER — While Canadian coach John Herdman and his management team are renowned for their comprehensive contingency plans, English players say Canada won't know what to prepare for in their Women's World Cup showdown Saturday.