China widened its lead in the Asian Games medal race on Thursday as the competition was overshadowed by the Qatari women’s basketball team withdrawing because of a ban against wearing Muslim headscarves during games.
Three world records were also set in archery, shooting and weightlifting At the end of day six of the 16-day continental games, with 173 of the 439 total gold medals awarded, China had won 78 golds, with South Korea and Japan in a tie for second with 28 each.
The dispute over the Qatari players’ refusal to remove their hijabs - considered by conservative Muslim women to be a requirement of their faith _ has raised new questions about rules over head coverings and efforts to promote Muslim women’s sports participation.Qatar delegation leader Khalid al-Jabir said the team had decided to withdraw and was already preparing to return home.
Three world records were also set in archery, shooting and weightlifting At the end of day six of the 16-day continental games, with 173 of the 439 total gold medals awarded, China had won 78 golds, with South Korea and Japan in a tie for second with 28 each.
The dispute over the Qatari players’ refusal to remove their hijabs - considered by conservative Muslim women to be a requirement of their faith _ has raised new questions about rules over head coverings and efforts to promote Muslim women’s sports participation.Qatar delegation leader Khalid al-Jabir said the team had decided to withdraw and was already preparing to return home.