It’s a big irony that when on one hand few nations are so staunch for their religious fanatics that they remain rigid with their rules and beliefs no matter whatever has to be compromised, and violates even the basic human rights of people hailing from a different faith and religion, on the other . A question that, moreover, leaves us numb is up till when the “sports & games”, which, being boundless of religion and communal controversies, is believed to be a sacred entity, will continue suffering the loss?
Woman Grandmaster and former world junior girls’ champion Soumya Swaminathan denied being part of the Asian Team Chess Championship, to be held in Hamadan, Iran, from July 26 to August 4, because of the compulsory-headscarf rule in the country which she said violated her personal rights.
The 29-year-old said the religious dress codes should not be imposed on players.
“I understand the organizers expecting us to wear our National Team Dress or formals or sporting attire for our games during official championships, but surely there is no place for an enforceable religious dress code in sports.”
TOOK TO POST ON FB
“I am very sorry to state that I have asked to be excused from the Indian Women’s team for the forthcoming Asian Nations Cup (Asian Team) Chess Championship 2018, to be held at Iran from 26 July – 4 Aug 2018, as I do not wish to be forced to wear a Headscarf or Burkha. I find the Iranian law of compulsory Headscarf to be in direct violation of my basic Human Rights including my right to freedom of expression, and right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion. It seems that under the present circumstances, the only way for me to protect my rights is not to go to Iran. I am very disappointed to see that player’s rights and welfare are given such less importance while allotting and/or organising official championships. I understand the organizers expecting us to wear our National Team Dress or Formals or Sporting attire for our games during official championships, but surely there is no place for an enforceable religious dress code in Sports”– Soumya Swaminathan
NOT THE FIRST TO DENY
YEAR PLAYER REASON TO QUIT
2016–top Indian shooter Heena Sidhu–withdrew from the Asian Airgun meet in Iran–same reason. 1924–British athlete Eric Liddell–refused to run the 100m in Olympic Games–the first-round heats was held on a Sunday (Sabbath).
1991–Jonathan Edwards, British triple jumper–skipped the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo–he would have to compete on a Sunday.
NBA legend Hakeem Olajuwon has been immortalised by the Houston Rockets with an installation of his jersey rather than a picture or likeness of him because of his religious beliefs.
It is tough to guess if Soumya Swaminathan would have expected a personal decision to become a subject of debate and for her to be caught in a raging crossfire. But, the Grand Master’s decision has been the subject of many a conversation over two days. To be sure, if a country is free to ask for certain norms to be followed, a sportsperson (or anyone else, for that matter) is just as free to decide whether he or she wants to play under such conditions. An athlete can choose not to compete in a country because he or she has a point of view that is contrary to the expectations of that nation.