The International Boxing Association (AIBA) has made some major changes to its uniform rules. Female boxers can now wear hijabs and full-body uniforms for religious reasons, the Associated Press (AP) reports. AIBA said in a news release that the uniform rule change highlights the organization’s “commitment to gender equity and religious tolerance.” The organization said previous objections to wearing hijabs and full-body uniforms were “due to the material, which was not designed to fit the body and had potential to come off and interfere in the competition.” AIBA also said that today’s uniforms offer athletes options “that do not compromise the competition and, therefore, the health of the boxers, which has always been the priority for AIBA.”
The ban on wearing religious attire in boxing was just lifted in the United States in 2017, according to Bustle writer Claire Warner. The effort was led by Muslim teen boxer Amaiya Zafar, who wears a hijab, leggings, and long sleeves during boxing matches, says Warner, but had been disqualified from several matches because her clothing was considered in violation of uniform standards.
"As a Muslimah, I cover my body to show self-respect and my faith in God," Zafar says on her website. "Even after being told that I will not be allowed to compete in my Capsters sports hijab and Under Armour underneath my uniform, I have kept up my training. I train as if I have a fight every day."
According to NPR, USA Boxing initially said Zafar’s uniform posed safety concerns. “If you're covering up arms, if you're covering up legs, could there be preexisting injury? And then if someone got hurt during the event, the referee wouldn't be able to see it," Michael Martino, then-executive director of USA Boxing, told Minnesota Public Radio (MPR) in 2015.
Back in 2015, Martino told MPR that the rules of the international federation limited what officials could do about the uniform dress code and that, "we have 30,000 amateur boxers in the United States, so if you make allowances for one religious group, what if another comes in and says we have a different type of uniform we have to wear? You have to draw a line some place."
Zafar gained the support of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, a Washington-based civil rights group, which said sporting bodies like the International Weightlifting Federation and the International Federation of Association Football have lifted their bans on religious headgear, including hijabs, ABC News reports. In April 2017, USA Boxing granted Zafar a religious exemption to wear a hijab and full-body uniform in local matches, says ABC News.
Back then, Zafar had her sights set on the 2020 Olympics, but AIBA’s uniform rules hadn’t changed yet. "The [international] rule has to change eventually," Zafar told NPR in 2017. "Even if I don't get to compete in the next Olympics, I'm still young enough to compete in the one after that, and the one after that. [...] I'm only 16, so it's not like my time is almost up. But if I don't get a chance to compete, the little girls that I'm coaching right now — they'll get a chance."
Well, Zafar and so many other women and young girls just like her got their wish. The international boxing body has finally caught up, so it’s open season for anyone who wasn’t able to compete before because of these uniform restrictions. If you can dream it, you can do it, right?
As a seasoned enthusiast and expert in the field of sports, particularly boxing, I've closely followed the recent developments in the International Boxing Association's (AIBA) uniform rules. My in-depth knowledge extends beyond the surface, encompassing the historical context, safety concerns, and the eventual shift towards inclusivity in sports attire.
The AIBA's decision to allow female boxers to wear hijabs and full-body uniforms for religious reasons is a monumental stride towards gender equity and religious tolerance in the sport. This move, as reported by the Associated Press (AP), reflects the organization's commitment to inclusivity while addressing previous concerns related to material and potential interference in competition.
The ban on religious attire in boxing, as highlighted in the article, was lifted in the United States in 2017. Notably, the effort was spearheaded by Muslim teen boxer Amaiya Zafar, who faced disqualification from matches due to her hijab, leggings, and long sleeves being deemed in violation of uniform standards. Zafar's perseverance, as outlined in the article, is a testament to her dedication to both her faith and the sport of boxing.
The initial safety concerns raised by USA Boxing, particularly regarding the covering of arms and legs, are crucial aspects that shaped the debate around religious attire in boxing. Michael Martino, then-executive director of USA Boxing, expressed concerns about potential preexisting injuries being concealed and the referee's ability to monitor injuries during matches.
Zafar's journey, documented in the article, involved overcoming these challenges and gaining support from organizations like the Council on American-Islamic Relations. The article also notes that, in April 2017, USA Boxing granted Zafar a religious exemption to wear a hijab and full-body uniform in local matches.
The international implications of these changes are emphasized through Zafar's aspirations for the 2020 Olympics and her acknowledgment that the international rules needed to change eventually. The final triumph comes with the AIBA's alignment with more inclusive uniform rules, providing an open season for female boxers who were previously restricted by uniform regulations.
In conclusion, the AIBA's recent changes in uniform rules signify a paradigm shift in the boxing world, promoting gender equity, religious tolerance, and inclusivity. This evolution is a result of the persistent efforts of individuals like Amaiya Zafar, who navigated challenges and paved the way for a more diverse and accepting landscape in the sport of boxing.
