Two Sikh players, Amritpal Singh and Amjyot Singh, were asked to remove their turbans before the start of the match on July 12. They were stopped from entering the court moments before India were to open their cam paign against Japan.
The officials told the players they were breaking International Basketball Federation rules and were not allowed to play with turbans. Two Sikh basketball players representing India, Amritpal Singh and Amjyot Singh, suffered humiliation after being asked to remove their turbans before the start of the match against Japan on July 12 at the recentlyconcluded 5th Fiba Asia Cup in Wuhan (China).
Match officials told the players they were in violation of International Basketball Federation rules. Article 4.4.2 of Fiba's rules states: "Players shall not wear equipment (objects) that may cause injury to other players." It further says: "Headgear, hair accessories and jewellery are not permitted."
India's American coach Scott Flemming's pleas fell on deaf ears and the duo didn't figure in the starting five. Only after they removed their turbans were they allowed to play in the first quarter. Despite the humiliation, Amritpal scored a game-high 15 points in the match.
Such objections were never raised in the past against Sikhs playing with turbans. "We have always played in turbans, even in last year's Asian Championship in Manila and also the recently held Lusofonia Games in Goa," 23-yearold Amritpal told TOI.
"This Asia Cup was a memorable event for all of us. But the controversy left both of us distressed. I wear a turban in practice too, and it was strange to not have it on during the game."
For 22-year-old Amjyot — India's consistent scorer in the championship — playing basketball without a turban was a first.
"Wearing turban is a part of me. When they told us we couldn't play with one it felt very awkward. But for the team we decided to play without turbans," said Amjyot.
Both the Indian players were not allowed to wear the turbans in the remaining six matches.
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