International Basketball Federation (FIBA) has received a plea from 39 US lawmakers, asking for a change in policy that disallow Sikhs and other players wear their articles of faith such as turbans in international competitions.
The request was reaffirmed through a letter sent by the lawmakers last Thursday. The move was led by Ami Bera, the only Indian-American member of Congress, and Joe Crowley, Vice Chair of the Democratic Caucus. Included in the appeal is the request for an update on FIBA's review of the policy and the two-year testing phase.
Just last summer, Bera and Crowley along with 22 members of Congress asked FIBA's president to stop the policy asking Sikh basketball players to remove their turbans which represent their faith before playing in a FIBA-hosted basketball game.
The said regulation is stated under the FIBA official rule, which states, "Players shall not wear equipment (objects) that may cause injury to other players."
FIBA responded to the lawmakers' appeal by announcing that they will review the issue and begin a two-year testing phase wherein players would be allowed to wear head coverings starting in summer 2015, with an ultimate eye toward a final decision after the 2016 Olympics.
However, up until now the world body has yet to put an action to these promises.
"We have seen time and again that sports have the power to unite - basketball included. The sport has gained in international stature in recent decades and is increasingly popular in countries where the use of a turban is commonplace," the lawmakers wrote.
"We urge you to amend your policies to ensure that people all around the world have an equal opportunity to play the game," they wrote.
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