Qatar's women's basketball team has withdrawn from the Asian Games after organisers refused to let players wear hijabs in competition.

The dispute over the Qatari players' refusal to remove their hijabs - regarded by some as a rule that discriminates against Muslim women - has created a major stir at the South Korea games.

The hijab is a scarf that covers the head and neck but does not obscure the face.

Qatar were due to play Nepal but the team did not show up at the venue for the game.

Khalid al-Jabir, the Qatar delegation chief, said the basketball team was preparing to return home.