ISTANBUL: The International Boxing Association (AIBA) has come to the decision of changing rules of uniforms worn by boxers in international competitions, which includes women being permitted to wear hijabs and full body form fitting uniforms if required for religious reasons.
The previous objection of the wearing of hijabs was due to the material which was not designed to fit the body and had potential to come off and interfere in the competition. The new athlete clothing offers new uniforms that do not compromise the competition and therefore the health of the boxers.
Boxers can also now wear their respective national colours on their shorts and vests as long as it complies with the official guidelines.
The decision has been hailed as a landmark one by members of the women boxing fraternity such as India’s Nikhat Zareen, who won gold in the 51 kg category at the Strandja Invitational last week.
“My father supported me in this journey as he understood the requirement for boxing, being a sportsperson himself. When I was young too, a lot of friends and relatives would tell my father to make me stop the sport but he made sure that I fulfilled my dream,” the 22-year-old Zareen, who hails from Nizamabad, told The Indian Express on Monday.
]“There are women boxers in India as well as other countries, who wanted to compete but could not because of the previous rule. It is up to an individual to make a choice. I believe this rule change will inspire more Muslim women to continue their career.”
“I am proud, as a muslim-female boxer, to see the positive changes the International Boxing Association is doing for the best interest of its athletes. In the last past years, there have been concrete advancements in women boxing. Today boxing is no longer seen as a men’s sport, but women have a real place in it. Boxing embraces diversity and I am appreciative to see the continuous evolution of the sport. I also appreciate AIBA’s recognition of religious differences and to have had the insight to make this accommodation”, German boxer Zaina Nassar added.
However, the AIBA is yet to take a decision on male boxers not allowed traditionally to compete with beards and moustaches, an issue which the Sikh community has been sensitive about.
“It is good that AIBA has made a rule change for women boxers citing religious reasons. But it should also be done for the Sikh boxers, who have been fighting a long battle to fight with beards in India as well International level,” India’s former men’s boxing head coach GS Sandhu was quoted as saying to the newspaper.
“I remember 2007 Super Heavy national champion Pushpender Singh quit after he was not allowed to compete with a beard in 2008 and 2009. Before that, it was allowed at the national level. AIBA should consider the cases for Sikh boxers too on the same lines.”
