At the beginning of July, the international basketball governing body known as FIBA told Sikh players that their religious turbans violate their official rules. Though there has been no evidence of harm, FIBA decided turbans were “dangerous” and in conflict with a rule stating that players “shall not wear equipment (objects) that may cause injury to other players.”
This meant that Amritpal Singh and Amjyot Singh of the Indian national basketball team were not allowed to wear their turbans at the recent Asia Cup. Amritpal and Amjyot had worked their entire lives for a chance to play at the international level. They built their careers on basketball, and they had practiced for countless hours only to be told, once they reached their goal, that they had to choose between their faith and the game.
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