Bangladesh Amateur Wrestling Federation took the initiative as some international bodies are trying to accelerate women's sports here. Some 100 women from 11 districts are selected to compete in eight weight categories.

Leaders of the Islamic Constitution Movement (ICM) called on the government not to allow the competition and warned that the government have to bear the responsibilities for serious consequences.

The competition venue was shifted from the National Sports Council gymnasium to the Women Sports Complex after the Islamists' threat to resist the event that they called indecorous.

"Islam never allows such competition which is an indecent act," an ICM leader told a meeting at the Baitul Mukarram Mosque where the Islamist leaders also demanded withdrawal of what they said was an offensive statement by US Ambassador to Bangladesh Harry K Thomas.

The group protested the remark that "the country's Islamic fundamentalists were behind the recent series of bomb attacks".

The ICM called on the government to remove the US envoy from Bangladesh if he did not withdraw his remark.

"The US ambassador has no right to talk about internal affairs of Bangladesh," another ICM leader said.

ICM President ATM Hemait Uddin said the ambassador's remark was intended to tarnish the country's image abroad, adding: "The comment is considered a threat to the country's sovereignty."