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France's Diaba Konate #23 of the UC Irvine Anteaters dribbles against the Gonzaga Bulldogs during the first quarter in the first round of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament at McCarthey Athletic Centre in Spokane, Washington on March 23, 2024. | AFP file photo.

French Muslim basketball player Diaba Konate Tuesday said she had hoped to represent her country at the Paris Olympics but did not stand a chance because she wears a headscarf.

‘Despite my desire and skills, I'm... not actually allowed to play for France because of discriminatory policies,’ the 24-year-old said during a press conference organised by rights groups to urge France to overturn bans on the Muslim headscarf in sport.