Simran Jeet Singh loves his Sikh turban as much has he loves basketball and felt upset when he learnt of two Indian Sikh players who were asked to remove their headgears at the Asia Cup tournament in China in 2014. He spearheaded a campaign out of New York that has turned out to be game-changing, literally.
Basketball players can now wear religious headgears on court, the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) decided on Thursday at a meeting in Hong Kong.
The earlier rule had barred “headgear, hair accessories and jewellery”.
The relaxation — which now allows headgears as long as they don’t protrude and do not cause injury to the user or other players — will open a new world of opportunities for those who love their game and their faith. The new rule will help Sikh, Jewish and Muslim women players.
“We reached out to the Indian players and the coach soon after the 2014 incident. I felt very hurt,” recalled Mr. Singh, who is a Senior Religion Fellow at the Sikh Coalition that led the campaign, mobilising basketball lovers across countries. Several Muslim organisations also joined the campaign. “There is zero conflict between my faith and my ability to play basketball,” said Darsh Preet Singh, the first turbaned Sikh basketball player in the National Collegiate Athletic Association. “I am thrilled about FIBA’s decision, which will allow athletes across the world to pursue their dreams without compromising their faith.” Mr. Darsh Preet Singh could not pursue his basketball career due to the restrictions on headgear.
Campaign’s faces
Bilqis Abdul-Qaadir, a Muslim girl who played basketball wearing hijab, has been one of the best players at the college level in America, but she could not pursue her ambitions to professional levels. Ms. Abdul-Qaadir, and Mr. Darsh Preet Singh had become the faces of the campaign. “I pursued this fight for the future generations. And I hope and pray that this will encourage young Muslim girls to pick up the ball, and basketball for sure,” she told Channel 4 on Thursday.
Hijab is allowed in international football for the last three years and American boxing governing body allowed it in a recent decision. As more Muslim women are entering professional sports, Nike announced in March that it would introduce a line of hijab this spring. Other sportswear companies may follow suit.
Indian-American lawmaker Ami Bera has been a supporter of the campaign. Mr. Bera, along with New York Representative Joe Crowley, took the up the issue with the FIBA more than once. The duo wrote to the sports body last week again, ahead of the Hong Kong meeting.
Faith and dreams
“The decision from the International Basketball Federation to allow Sikhs and other players to wear articles of religious faith while competing is welcome news. It has been a long campaign to make this a reality, and praise should go to FIBA and the Sikh community — they both helped ensure that Sikhs can compete just like anyone else,” Mr. Bera and Mr. Crowley said in a joint statement. “Sports can uplift communities and individuals by being a source of pride, collaboration, and friendly competition. This decision will help expand those benefits to those who deserve a fair chance at competition.”
Added Mr. Singh: “If implemented appropriately, ending this discriminatory policy opens the door for millions of young people to practice their faith and pursue their dreams. Nobody should ever be forced to choose between their sport and their faith.”
