A Muslim father is upset he isn't allowed to watch a daughter compete at an Islamic women's netball tournament.
But organisers say it's important for the girls to have a "secure environment" to play sport.
The father, who wished to remain anonymous, has a daughter playing in today's Muslim women's netball tournament at Zayed College For Girls in Auckland.
The tournament has been running for the past 15 years or so and has always excluded men from the event. The referees and coaches at the tournament are also required to be female.
"We as men can't go and watch the tournament. My daughter is playing and I can't watch," the father said.
"I can understand swimming because they wear different clothes, but netball is netball, women should be able to watch men and men able to watch women ... It is rather sad that it is happening here in New Zealand."
Earlier this year, a WaterSafe Auckland initiative at YMCA's Cameron Pool and Leisure Centre in Mt Roskill had the pools partially closed one night a week to give Muslim women the opportunity to learn to swim. [The NZ Herald] Read more
