Brunel University is launching a sports hijab in hopes of encouraging more Muslim women to play sports.
According to the 2017 study by Sports England just 18% of Muslim women participate in regular sport, against 30% of the UK's female population. Sports hijab has been launched earlier by some sportswear brands but the university is directly supplying these hijabs to their students.
Traditionally the hijab is made from cotton which can quickly become hot, sodden with sweat and uncomfortable when used for sport. But what is being supplied by the University has been made from materials specifically designed to keep the wearer cool while also respecting their religious beliefs.
Brunel hopes that other universities will follow its lead and introduce their own designs to further encourage participation.
