TEHRAN, Oct. 29 (Mehr News Agency) -- 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.

Photo from the documentary
"Feminine Breeze: Women and Arts in Iran"

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.

The Asian Games are due to start in Doha on December 1.

... Payvand News - 10/30/06 ... --