Miftahul Jannah's face of disappointment could not be hidden when she found out she was disqualified for insisting on wearing the hijab during a match. The Pejudo from Aceh left the arena in the 52 kg blind judo class match of the Asian Para 2018 Games in Jiexpo Kemayoran, Jakarta, Monday (8/10).
The main reason for the clear ban on safety. Miftahul is prohibited from using headscarves not because of religious problems, but because the judo match uses grip and slings to defeat opponents.
Headscarves can be used by opponents to strangle the neck and can be fatal to athletes. The International Judo Federation Regulation (IJF) clearly states that long hair must be tied so that it does not cause discomfort to other contestants. Meanwhile, the head must not be covered, except for the medical splitting. Judo athlete from Saudi Arabia, Wodjan Shahrkan, who wears a hijab every day must soften when competing at the 2012 London Olympics.
He finally only used a tight black headgear. The ban on headscarves due to safety is not only in judo sports, the rules of the World Karate Federation (WKF) state that female athletes can wear plain white shirts behind karate jackets. While the head covering that WKF allowed was black covering the hair, but not covering the neck.
Swimming has become a sport that until now still applies the veil ban on athletes. The International Swimming Federation (FINA) set strict criteria for athletic swimwear. They even arrange materials, thickness, size, and brands that swimmers can use. For male athletes, clothes cannot be above the navel and exceed the knees, while for female athletes swimsuits should not cover the neck, over the shoulders, and below the knees.
"All swimsuits must be authorized and approved by FINA," the report wrote.
This rule is made in order to maintain sportsmanship among athletes. Previously, swimmer Michael Phelps, as proclaimed by the New York Times, allegedly won eight gold medals in Beijing because of a special swimsuit design. He wears clothes that cover the entire body, which his sponsor made, Speedo.
However, it turns out that the material is permeable and lighter, making it easier for Phelps to glide in water. Finally, on January 1, 2010, FINA banned the use of clothes that made it easier for swimmers.
Rules Can Change, Guidelines for Permanent Safety Guidelines
In other sports, according to the Huffington Post summary, in 2007, the International Football Federation (FIFA) had banned the use of headscarves. However, they reviewed the rules after the Iranian women's soccer team was banned from playing in the 2012 Olympic qualifying round. Finally, in October 2012, FIFA issued a trial letter using the head cover with the same color requirements as the jersey.
Head coverings should also not reduce the professionalism of the player, not stick to the jersey, and not cause harm. This rule only applies to female athletes and began to be approved in 2014. After FIFA, the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) followed suit. On October 1, 2017, they ratified the wearing of headscarves on basketball athletes during matches. This rule responded to a crowded petition filed after the Qatar women's basketball team withdrew from the Asian Games in September 2014.
FIBA also briefly banned Sikh male athletes from wearing turban and Jewish male athletes wearing yarmulkes during matches. However, now basketball athletes can use head coverings including headscarves, turbans, and yarmulkes as long as they are in uniform (or black and white), do not cover the face, eyes or nose, and do not cause harm to athletes who wear to fight