Nike launches Hijab for Muslim women athletes

MUMBAI: Sportswear major Nike is launching a hijab for female Muslim athletes in 2018 global media reports say.

The company will be the first sports apparel maker to target the traditional Mudlim community with a Islamic head scarf designed specifically for competition, the company has been reported to say.

The head covering brand called "Pro Hijab", is designed to allow athletes to observe the traditional Islamic women to cover the head without affecting performance. The brand is expected to hit stores shelves in early 2018, Nike said in a statement.

The company consulted with Muslim women athletes from around the world, including Middle Eastern runners and cyclists, in the designing the hijab global reports say.

The move is expected to help Nike's annual net sales in the billions by targeting Muslim athletes as consumers.