Crowley and Bera Announce Major Step Forward in Fight Against International Basketball Federation’s Discriminatory Policy on Sikh Players
FIBA Board Endorses Change to Policy Requiring Athletes Who Wear Articles of Faith to Remove Head Coverings in International Basketball Competition
Crowley and Bera Spearheaded the Congressional Effort Calling on FIBA to Make the Change
(Washington, D.C.) – Today, Reps. Joe Crowley (D-NY), Chairman of the Democratic Caucus, and Ami Bera (D-CA), the Co-Chair of the House Caucus on India and Indian American Affairs, cheered a major step forward by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) to change its policy that requires Sikhs and other players to remove their articles of faith, such as turbans, in international competition. Today, FIBA’s central board announced it supports a change in policy and the board’s recommendation will be considered when FIBA’s Mid-Term Congress meets in May.
“We’re thrilled that the board has endorsed a change that, if adopted, will let Sikhs and other athletes who wear articles of faith play,” said Crowley and Bera. “While it should have never taken this long for the board to endorse this change, we’re glad that FIBA is moving ahead. There is no evidence that turbans or religious headgear pose a threat to players, and FIBA’s policy has been not only outdated, but discriminatory. We will be closely monitoring this situation going forward to ensure the entire FIBA Congress adopts the change this coming May. This progress wouldn’t have been possible had it not been for the tireless efforts of advocates and the community. Together, we have lifted our voices and made clear that ‘Let Them Play’ is more than a hashtag – it’s the right thing to do. We’re glad FIBA is moving in the right direction and we look forward to a final change soon.”
In September, Crowley and Bera led more than 40 Members of Congress in sending a letter to the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) reiterating their strong support for a change in policy that requires Sikhs and other players to remove their articles of faith, such as turbans, in international competition. Two years ago, in response to an earlier letter led by Crowley and Bera, and strong public pressure, FIBA announced that it would review the issue and begin a testing phase that would allow players to wear head coverings starting in summer 2015, with an ultimate eye toward a final decision after the 2016 Olympics.
FIBA’s discriminatory policy came to light in 2014 when two Sikh players who were told by referees that they must remove their turbans if they were to play in FIBA’s Asia Cup. The players, who have always played in turbans, were told that they were in violation of one of FIBA’s official rules, which states, “Players shall not wear equipment (objects) that may cause injury to other players.” However, there is no evidence that a Sikh turban poses a threat to cause injury, and other sports leagues, such as Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), allow athletes wearing turbans to participate.
Following the Asia Cup incident, Crowley and Bera led multiple letters signed by dozens of Members of Congress urging FIBA’s board to end its discriminatory policy against players who wear turbans.
In addition to Sikhs, changes to FIBA’s policy could also allow players practicing other religions, such as Islam, to participate in international basketball.
FIBA’s statement, found here, reads: “After initiating a revision process of the headgear rule (Article 4.4.2) of the Official Basketball Rules in September 2014, the Board received a report on the impact of the exceptions applied on a domestic level during a two-year period. It favoured a modification of the rule and issued a mandate for the Technical Commission to come forward with a proposal that would allow headgear to be worn safely by athletes. This will be presented to the Mid-Term Congress in May.”
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