Indian shooter and Olympian Heena Sidhu on October 29 pulled out of the Asian Airgun Shooting Championship in Iran as they had made it mandatory to wear hijab for all women athletes taking part in the competition.
Shooter Heena Sidhu PTI
Sindhu, who made her decision public on Twitter, said that she had written to the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) three weeks back about her decision.
The championship is scheduled to be held in Iran’s capital Tehran this year in December and to clear the air about her decision, she sent out multiple tweets on October 29.
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
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
Im proud 2 b sportsperson coz ppl from diff cultures, backgrouds, sexes, ideologies, religion can cum 2gether n compete without biases (3)
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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
Iran is infamous for forcing their culture and rules upon others, especially during competitions that are held in their country.
Also, this is not the first time that Sindhu has withdrawn from a championship help in Iran. Two years back she had reportedly withdrawn from another championship for the same reason.
