Iranians make debut in Asian Women's Championship

Iranian players in Islamic dress code

[VOLLEYBALL] After a long period of 30 years, the Iranian women's volleyball team are going to participate in the Nakhon Ratchasima-hosted Asian Championship, their debut international tournament, wearing Islamic dress code.

In September this year, the Iranian squad will come to Thailand to test their mettle in the 14th Asian Women's Championship. Their presence in Islamic dress code would undoubtedly be an unique thing in sport world. Previously, Egyptian volleyball players had participated with scarf and trousers in the last year's World Championship in Japan. But surely the Islamic dress of the Iranian girls would turn to a sample for the Islamic countries.

Mohammad Reza Davarzani, president of Iran Volleyball Federation, said in an interview, "Our volleyball has got a good location in international associations. In favor of this situation, fortunately after 30 years Iranian women's volleyball players with Islamic dress code would participate in the Asian Championship.

"This is not a minor thing and we should not pass easily from this matter. Iranian women in Thailand will prove that the Islamic dress code does not create restriction, but it brings immunity for women. Also this attempt in the future will lead to some good publicity to the Islam world."

The Iranian women team have been training intensively in their serious preparation for the Championship in Thailand. Players with complete Islamic dress code approved by authorities of the Sport Organization are now in the training camp. Fifty one players were invited to the first camp. They were picked up among the top players of Super League, First Division and Junior Championship last year, while another 25 players were chosen for the second camp. It lasted for 12 days. Then the third camp was held for another 12 days.

To obtain more competition experiences, the Armenian women's national team are invited to Iran to have some friendly matches with the Iranian side.

AVC News, The Nation