The Olympic ideals of diversity and inclusiveness were cast aside at the Asian Games on Thursday when the Qatari women's basketball team took a stand against rules regarding headgear and quit the competition.

Denied permission to wear hijabs in their group opener against Mongolia a day earlier, and with no hope of intervention from organisers or the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), the Qatari women failed to show up for Thursday's game against Nepal and declared their Asian Games over.

Qatar have won one medal at the Games, gold in the double trap men's team, and lost any chance of adding to that tally in women's basketball when their team withdrew.

Prevented from wearing hijabs due to International Basketball Federation (FIBA) Article 4.2.2, which dictates players cannot wear "headgear, hair accessories and jewellery," the Qatari women felt they had no choice but to take a stand.

"We have decided not to take part in the remainder of the Asian Games women's basketball competition," an assistant with Qatar's National Olympic Committee told Reuters by telephone.

Their scheduled opponents, Nepal, passed the ball around and practised shooting for 15 minutes at the Samsan World Gymnasium before the forfeit was announced.

Competition at the Asian Games is conducted under the regulations of the sports' international governing bodies, meaning athletes in other sports are free to wear hijabs.

Kuwait's Najlaa Aljerewi and Iran's Aghaei Hajiagha Soraya wore hijabs in the triathlon and badminton on Thursday.

An official from Incheon's organising committee (IAGOC) said he had sympathy for the Qatari players but that the Games had to follow FIBA's regulations.

"We can't change FIBA regulations right now even if we consult with them," the official told Reuters by telephone. "Personally I feel sorry for them. All the other sports allow hijabs." - Reuters