Chess player won't wear headscarf in Iran

A female Indian chess player says she has decided to not to contest an Asian championship being held in Iran because she could not comply with the country's rule requiring women participants to wear a headscarf.

Soumya Swaminathan says she finds the Iranian law to be in direct violation of her rights and the only way to protest that was to not go to Iran.

The Asian Nations Cup Chess Championship is scheduled to be held in Hamadan, Iran from July 26 to August 4.

"I do not wish to be forced to wear a scarf or burkha," she posted on her Facebook account on Wednesday.

In 2016, Indian shooter Heena Sidhu withdrew from a championship in Iran citing the same reason.