Sporting Excellence: Faith No Bar

The benefits of sports and games, even of a non-rigorous nature, are universally acknowledged. One would imagine that such a well-known fact would find many takers, but unfortunately that is not always the case. Gender, cultural norms and religion have a very strong hold on the perception of sporting events and their suitability. Studies have shown that women are less likely to take up sports as a serious activity, and Muslim women are even less likely to do so. Can religion be the factor here? Apparently, it can. Islam places an emphasis on the segregation of the sexes, which rules out sports that include men, even if their event is separate. Modesty of dress is another factor that deters many Muslim sports enthusiasts. However, that has not stopped them from stepping out into the arena and showing their abilities. Marjan Kalhor may have struck many as a casual dilettante on ski holidays when she donned her skis every year in Iran. But this year, she became the first Iranian women to enter the Winter Olympics. In 2004, Ruqaya Al-Gassra became the first women to represent Bahrain at the Olympics. She justified the slot by placing fifth in the 100 meter sprint. She overcame fundamentalist objections by running fully covered and wearing a hijab. In 2008 the U.A.E. and Oman sent women to the Olympics for the first time. Egyptian fencer Shaimaa El Gammal is another woman who donned Islamic gear for her event. Several associations are trying to make a difference. Until then these young athletes will have to depend on their families for the support and assistance to make it big in the sporting arena.