Abuja – More reactions have continued to trail FIFA’s approval of the use of hijab (head scarf) by female footballers who are Muslims.

Some Abuja residents, who spoke on Friday, said the new mode of dressing approved by the world soccer governing body should be optional and not compulsory for those concerned.

Miss Charity Luka, a football enthusiast, said: “Apart from the religious consideration, the experience will make the players feel very uncomfortable.

“I find it difficult to see the need for such extra burden on female players. What about the accompanying heat and if they play under the rains, won’t the rains drop on their bodies as the game progresses? she asked.

“That alone can also affect their performance in the field.  Some players are full of tricks in the field of play. The opponents can use their hands to drag the hijab and in the process, can throw the player off-balance,’’ she said.

Luka also wondered what such players would wear on their legs. “Is it trousers or what is commonly known as `tight’?, she queried

A sports analyst, Mr Tomilayo Adedeji, said:  “Sports are not religion. It will be disappointing and disastrous if any organisation or individual tries to mix sports with religion in any form.  You can mix politics with sports, but not religion.

“One can imagine the inconveniences and discomfort that will accompany the use of the head scarfs by the affected female football players. In fact, the dressing is no more uniform’’.

Adedeji said: “The decision to use hijab or not to, is at the mercy of the coach. The coach is the final arbiter, because the practice can bring a serious setback to the team concerned and female football in general.”

The sports analyst, however, adds: “Such a setback can be a question of time, as the players may get used to it through constant use’’.

Hajia Hadiza Abdulfatah, a public servant, stressed:  “Any Muslim woman who leaves her head uncovered is not a true Muslim, no matter the circumstances.

“It is completely un-Islamic for a Muslim woman to leave her head open, or exposing any other part of her body to the public’’.

“A devote Muslim woman must always cover her head, breast, buttocks and other sensitive parts of her body, so that she does not attract unnecessary attention,’’ she stressed.

Abdulfatah, who commended the decision of FIFA for taking that stance, said: “There are different types of hijabs that can fit into different occasions.

“I believe the smaller size that covers the head tightly should be the one recommended by FIFA for use by the Muslim female football players,” she said. (NAN)