Mirza hits out at muslim clergy
2005-11-17 08:53
New Delhi - Indian tennis star Sania Mirza says it is scary that her dress on the court, usually a short skirt and a midriff revealing T-shirt, was becoming controversial in her country, a newspaper reported on Thursday.
Sections of orthodox Muslim clergy say she is leading young Muslims, especially girls, astray.
India's Sunni Ulema Board, a Muslim organisation, issued an edict in October demanding Mirza, a Muslim, cover up during her matches. The group described her tennis clothes as "un-Islamic."
"As long as I am winning, people shouldn't care whether my skirt is six inches (15cm) long or 6 feet (2m) long," the Hindustan Times newspaper quoted Mirza as saying at a leadership forum organised by the daily.
"How I dress is very personal thing," said Mirza, who turned 19 on Wednesday.
"It is scary that every time I wear a T-shirt, it becomes a talking point for the next three days," she said.
Last month, Mirza said her clothing was appropriate and required for the game.
In August, she became the first Indian woman to reach the fourth round of any Grand Slam, but made it no further in the US Open, losing to Maria Sharapova, then ranked No 1.
She is now ranked No 31 on the WTA Tour, up from No 326 a little more than a year ago.
- AP