Incheon: Qatar on Wednesday withdrew their women's basketball team from the Asian Games just before their first match over a rule banning Muslim headscarves. Qatar and the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) hit out at the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) rule which bans all headwear on safety grounds.

The Gulf state, whoses team were due to open their campaign against Mongolia in the qualifying round at Incheon on Wednesday, said the rule ran contrary to Olympic principles on diversity.