This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost India, which closed in 2020. Some features are no longer enabled. If you have questions or concerns about this article, please contact indiasupport@huffpost.com.

Shooter Heena Sidhu Pulls Out Of Tehran Event Protesting Compulsory Hijab Rule

'Not in the spirit of sportsmanship.'
India Today Group/Getty Images

Noted shooter Heena Sidhu backed out of the Asian Airgun Shooting Championship in Tehran due to a rule that forces women competitors to wear a hijab.

She said that as sportspersons come from different religions, backgrounds, genders and countries, it was 'not in the spirit of sportsmanship' to make someone wear an hijab against their will.

Sidhu, who had also participated in the 2016 Rio Olympics, took to micro-blogging site Twitter to share her views.

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

She had written to the National Rifle Association of India three weeks ago.

The championship is scheduled be held in Iran's capital Tehran in December.

Also On HuffPost:

Close
This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost India, which closed in 2020. Some features are no longer enabled. If you have questions or concerns about this article, please contact indiasupport@huffpost.com.