Pak women badminton players not to wear skirts: PBF

"World Badminton Federation should not make wearing of skirts by female players mandatory. Our religious beliefs and norms do not allow our lady players to wear skirts," said Syed Naqi Mohsin, senior vice president of the Pakistan Badminton Federation (PBF)
Mohsin, also vice president of Badminton Asia Confederation, noted that the BWF had stated that its new regulations will not, in any way, discriminate against any religion or other beliefs.

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

“Pakistani lady players have been playing in international tournaments in trousers. They even participate in the Asian Games in the same attire as exemption was given to them in deference to their Islamic beliefs. The Iranian girls play in trousers with a head scarf," he said.

Pakistan has not been sending its female players to major tournaments like the Super Series and Grand Prix though they have participated in the Uber Cup, where the new dress regulations will apply, Mohsin said.

He said he was sure that a lot of female players from around the world will willingly adapt to playing in skirts.

"However, a lot of them will prefer playing in shorts, in which they feel more comfortable but in the case of players from Islamic countries, it should not be made compulsory," he said.