Marketing barriers to Muslim female athletes

Sports play an important role in the lives of many girls in Muslim nationalities. From rowing and football in Iran to sprinting in Bahrain, Qatar, Pakistan, Morocco, and basketball in Saudi Arabia. In many Muslim countries, the presence of male athletes was socially accepted, but women participating in sports competitions are considered controversial by religious leaders' Fatwa (Ayatollah) and governors. Consequently, the number of Muslim women participating in the Olympics and other international events is not promising. Muslim women athletes face many problems that are rooted in their social- religious culture. One of these barriers is marketing barriers, which are considered an essential factor for sport development. Women's professional sports and its unique marketing as a new industry in sports are cross-border, but local issues. With more women participating in national and international sporting events, marketing barriers are becoming more and more prevalent.