IWBF supports FIBA’s new rule on headgear

FIBA ratified a rule that will allow players to wear headgear. 19 May 2017
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Woman wearing a hijab shooting a basketball in a wheelchair

Algeria are the defending women's champions

ⒸIWBF
By IWBF

"This decision will make the understanding and enforcement by our officials easier now because of the harmonisation between both sports"

The International Wheelchair Basketball Federation (IWBF) has expressed their support for the International Basketball Federation’s (FIBA) recent ratification of a new rule that will allow players to wear headgear.

The new rule, which was passed at the FIBA Mid-Term Congress, comes as a result of the fact that traditional dress codes in some countries – which call for the head and/or entire body being covered – were incompatible with FIBA’s previous headgear rule.

IWBF Secretary General, Maureen Orchard said: “We are extremely pleased that FIBA has made the decision to revise its previous rule over headgear. This decision will make the understanding and enforcement by our officials easier now because of the harmonisation between both sports.

“We also passed a similar regulation ahead of Rio 2016 to ensure Algeria women’s wheelchair basketball team were able to play at the Paralympic Games.”

Like IWBF, the new FIBA ruling has been developed in a way that minimises the risk of injuries as well as preserve consistency of the colour of the uniform.

More information about the ruling can be found on FIBA’s website.