Sikh Basketball Players Receive U.S. Congressional Backing

WASHINGTON DC, USA—Led by New York Congressman Joseph Crowley and California Congressman Ami Bera, 21 members of the U.S. Congress sent a letter today to the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) calling for an end to FIBA’s ban on Sikh turbans.

Noting that the American NCAA allowed a Sikh athlete, Darsh Preet Singh, to wear a turban while playing college basketball for Trinity University, the Congressional letter labeled the turban ban “discriminatory” and asked FIBA’s Central Board to “carefully re-examine the existing policy with respect to Sikh turbans and support a change” at its next meeting. According to reports, FIBA will discuss this issue at an August 27th meeting in Spain.

Sikh Coalition supporters in the United States sent over 1,000 messages to their elected representatives in the U.S. Congress to raise awareness about this important issue. If FIBA officially ends its ban on Sikh turbans, this will ensure that Sikh basketball players will not have to choose between their religion and their athletic careers.

 

3 COMMENTS

  1. These steps sud b taken by india bt ppl here hav envy feeling for sikhs especially dirty politician,I salute america for this fabulous steps,if u ever need the help of sikhs ,v will b there frm bottom of our heart n sacrifice our life for u.

  2. It’s an awaking call for all the prominent sports governing bodies all over the world to ascertain the credibility of a faith as long as an individual follows and remains within frame work of rules of the concerned game . Having designer hair cuts , over grown locks unconventional haphazard head dressing , attracts no questioning , why should well groomed covered head be a bone of contention for sports to be followed by a particular sect or a faith . It amounts to breach of Natural justice . Hope a better sense shall prevail and Sikh turban may find suitability of acceptance .

  3. It is a good news.
    SIKH parents with young children should take heart from this and start sending thier childrens to schools without cutting their hair so that the Children and Parents of other Religions can see how a SIKH looks like and recognise them.
    Sikhs are hard working and law abiding citizen of a society where ever they may live all over the World.
    They are not Terrorist.

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