Shooter Heena Sidhu Pulls Out of Iran Event Due to Compulsory Hijab Rule

Top Indian shooter Heena Sidhu has withdrawn from the Asian Airgun Shooting Championship in Tehran due to a rule that forces female competitors to wear 'hijab'.

Heena, who is the defending champion, took to social micro-blogging site Twitter to list out the reasons behind her decision.

There have been reports abt me skipping the Asian air weapon competition in Iran due to their practice of making women wear hijab. (1)

— Heena sidhu (@HeenaSidhu10) October 29, 2016

Im not a revolutionary. But I feel dat making it mandatory for even a sportsperson to wear hijab is not in the spirit of a Sport. (2)

— Heena sidhu (@HeenaSidhu10) October 29, 2016

Im proud 2 b sportsperson coz ppl from diff cultures, backgrouds, sexes, ideologies, religion can cum 2gether n compete without biases (3)

— Heena sidhu (@HeenaSidhu10) October 29, 2016

Sport is an exhibition of sheer Human Effort nPerformance. Our ability to dig deep for Strength, Will Power and Determination. (4)

— Heena sidhu (@HeenaSidhu10) October 29, 2016

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

I thank the NRAI for respecting my views n I wud also like 2wish luck 2 r team competing in Iran. Lets concentrate on competition dan hijab

— Heena sidhu (@HeenaSidhu10) October 29, 2016

The competition's website clearly states that female participants will have to comply by the rules of the Islamic Republic of Iran when in comes to a dress code.

Interestingly, this isn't the first time Heena has pulled out from a shooting competition in Iran.

Heena Sidhu competed at the 2016 Rio Olympics and won a gold medal in the 10m air pistol at the 2013 World Championship.