Posted on 10/29/2006 4:33:13 PM PST by gandalftb
TEHRAN, Oct. 29 (MNA) -- Iran's female karate team are to boycott Doha Games after the Asian Karate Federation refused to approve the wearing of Islamic head scarves during bouts.
The Iranian federation has made its outmost effort to convince the officials at Finland session but there were no positive result, said Jabar Pour Hosseini, spokesman for the Iranian Karate Federation adding “the ban on headscarves for the karate team had been imposed due to a "technical matter" related to what to do if the garment slips during a bout.”
"The Iranian women's karate team, which comprises three athletes, will not take part in the Asian Games in Doha since the Islamic headscarves were not approved by the Asian federation," he maintained adding, "Although we have a very good team capable of winning Asian medals, we cannot take part when our dress code is not accepted," he said.
Iranian female athletes in taekwondo, another martial art in which Iran traditionally excels, will not be affected as in that sport fighters wear head guards that fully secure the headscarf in a fight.
Veiled Iranian female karate team to boycott Doha Games
Now I've seen it all.
Pictures? My imagination is strained.
Great idea! WWF'em all. I can see it now, The Sheik makes a come back!
Members of team at practice:
Do they spar wearing helmets and gloves, or not? A helmet should provide coverage enough.
I wouldn't object to someone wearing a scarf doing katas.
Mrs VS
I'd take that handle if offered and wring a neck or two. No wonder the Asian federation would not approve the wearing of scarves. They are death traps and a safety issue of gargantuan proportions. Just one snagged fist in a scarve at full focus could break a neck.
Grab scarf, pull hard, extend fist as opponent spins......................get the picture?
You just can't make this S%#@ up!!
"Islam is as Islam does"
On the up side, the Iranian Ninja Team is good to go.
This would make an excellent Monty Python sketch.
Why are Muslim women even allowed to compete?
They may come into contact with some non-Muslim infidel.
I slam, you slam, we all slam for I-slam.
No kidding. As good as Monty is, I don't think even he could dream up something as absurd as this. The man has met his match.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.