Tudung requirement for sports shocks trader

(Daily Express) – A businessman was shocked over the action of a secondary school in Gelugor here for barring his daughter from taking part in sports for wearing sports tights, a short-sleeved T-shirt and no 'tudung'.

Mohamad Asrul Rashid Mohd Ikbal, 36, said his daughter, Baizura, 13, was not allowed to participate in the running events of Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Haji Mohd Nor Ahmad's sports for not wearing sports attire as directed.

Mohamad Asrul said according to his daughter the sports teacher asked her and two of her friends to wear a long-sleeved T-shirt, track bottoms and 'tudung' if they wanted to participate.

Baizura had been selected as a school athlete for three straight years while in Sekolah Kebangsaan Bukit Gelugor. "She was also picked as a sprinter for that school," said Mohd Asrul.

He said during discussions with the school authorities the sports teacher and the school's head pointed fingers at each other and did not admit to the directive.

"What angers us is that the sports teacher said the directive was issued by the school head who in turn said no such instruction was made," he said.

Mohamad Asrul said an officer from the state education department was in the discussion but did not want to be named and promised to investigate.

The department's director, Ibrahim Mohamad, when contacted said he could not comment as the matter was under investigation.