Thaindian News

Lahore, April 26(ANI): Pakistan’s women badminton players will not wear skirts because that is contrary to the principles of their religion, a Pakistan Badminton Federation (PBF) official has said.

The Badminton World Federation’s introduction of Rule 19.2 of the General Competition Regulations requires female players to wear skirts or dresses for Level 1 to 3 tournaments.

The “new clothing regulations, part of an overall campaign to raise the profile of women in Badminton and profile of the sport, will be implemented on 1 June, 2011,” the BWF said in a recent statement.

However, the PBF’s Senior Vice President, Syed Naqi Mohsin, said that the BWF “should not make wearing of skirts by female players mandatory.”

“Our religious beliefs and norms do not allow our lady players to wear skirts,” the Daily Times quoted Mohsin, as saying.

Mohsin, who is also the Badminton Asia Confederation’s Vice President, noted that the BWF had stated that its new regulations would not discriminate against any religion or other beliefs in any way.

“But how can wearing skirts by Muslim women players not clash with their religion and other beliefs prevalent in a Muslim country?” he asked.

Pakistani women players have been playing in international tournaments in trousers.

“They even participated in the Asian Games in China in the same attire, as exemption was given to them in defiance to their Islamic behaviours,” Mohsin pointed out, adding, “The Iranian women also play in trousers, with a head scarf also.” (ANI)