A letter will be sent to International Basketball Federation chief Horacio Muratori.
AB Wire
Indian-American Congressman Ami Bera and Democratic Congressman Joe Crowley, Vice Chairman of Democratic Caucus have come up with a campaign to lift the ban on Sikhs wearing a turban while playing basketball.
According to a report by Press Trust of India (PTI), Ami Bera and Joe Crowley have launched a signature campaign among the Congress members to write to the International Basketball Federation to change its policies that discriminate against Sikh players.
“It is long past time that FIBA ends discrimination against observant Sikhs and allows them to participate. Basketball has rapidly become a global sport, popular not only in the United States but in countries like India where many Sikhs proudly participate,” the letter being circulated among the US House of Representatives says.
According to Article 4.4.2 of FIBA’s official rules, players are not allowed to wear equipment or objects that cause injury to other players. Though Sikhs participate in many sports events in professional and amateur levels, instances where turban causing injuries to co-players have not been reported so far.
“We strongly appeal to you to quickly announce that observant Sikhs may participate in all FIBA games without being forced to remove their articles of faith,” the letter read.
The memorandum is expected to send to the International Basketball Federation chief Horacio Muratori after the conclusion of the Rio Olympics.
Earlier, the federation had said that it would review its policies after the Rio Olympics and make a decision whether the Sikh players can wear a turban while playing.