FIBA dance team told to stop performing at Worlds tournament


Cheerleaders, wrapped in national flags of competitors in FIBA Basketball World Championship, perform during the Ivory Coast and Greece game in Ankara September 1, 2010. The absence of scantily clad female cheerleaders at recent World Championship basketball matches involving host nation Turkey has raised eyebrows in the overwhelmingly Muslim but officially secular nation. Troupes of energetic cheerleaders have entertained the crowds at matches involving other teams in the tournament, but no dancers appeared during Turkey's match against Greece on Tuesday nor their match against Russia on Sunday.        REUTERS/Mark Blinch (TURKEY - Tags: SPORT BASKETBALL)
 
The AP reports:The Red Foxes have been told to stop performing in games involving the host country because their risque costumes and routines are offensive to the nation that is nearly entirely Muslim. Islam prohibits women from exposing their skin in public.

Basketball’s governing body said Wednesday the ban was not its decision. Secretary general Patrick Baumann said he wants entertainment to be part of the games, but “if it needs a little bit of adjustment that is fine with us.”

Performers wore long pants Wednesday during a game between the United States and Iran. Iranian officials had turned their backs when the dancers, who usually wear tiny shorts or skirts, performed in earlier games.


Cheerleaders perform during the FIBA Basketball World Championship game between Ivory Coast and Greece in Ankara September 1, 2010. The absence of scantily clad female cheerleaders at recent World Championship basketball matches involving host nation Turkey has raised eyebrows in the overwhelmingly Muslim but officially secular nation. Troupes of energetic cheerleaders have entertained the crowds at matches involving other teams in the tournament, but no dancers appeared during Turkey's match against Greece on Tuesday nor their match against Russia on Sunday.       REUTERS/Mark Blinch (TURKEY - Tags: SPORT BASKETBALL)Members of the CSKA Moscow' dance team perform during a break at FIBA Basketball World Championship game between USA and Slovenia in Istanbul August 29, 2010.       REUTERS/Jeff Haynes (TURKEY - Tags: SPORT BASKETBALL)

Author: Inside Hoops

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