FIBA Changes Headgear Rules to Allow Hijab in Basketball

Basketball has changed its rules on headgear in a move that will allow players to wear the hijab during matches.
Previous rules had banned the practice over what world governing body FIBA said was a safety issue.

The Qatar women’s team withdrew from the 2014 Asian Games after being denied permission to wear the hijab – a head covering worn by many Muslim women.

On Thursday, new rules were ratified that will take effect from October 1.

“The new rule comes as a result of the fact that traditional dress codes in some countries – which called for the head and/or entire body being covered – were incompatible with previous headgear rules,” a FIBA statement read.

FIBA began a revision process of its headgear rule in September 2014, with exceptions being granted at national level as part of a two-year testing period.

Earlier that year, football’s governing body FIBA officially authorised the wearing of head covers for religious reasons during matches.