NEI INdia |
New Delhi: Over 10 days after two of its Sikh players
were asked to remove their turbans at the fifth FIBA Asia Cup in China,
the Basketball Federation of India (BFI) has decided to lodge a formal
complaint against sport’s global governing body.
The incident dates back to Saturday, July 12, when, just before the game against Japan, two Sikh players - Amritpal Singh and Amjyot Singh - were asked to remove their turbans as wearing it allegedly violated International Basketball Federation (FIBA) rules.
According to media reports, the match officials reportedly cited Article 4.4.2 of FIBA rules that state, "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 reportedly tried to reason it out with the officials, but to no avail. Amritpal and Amjyot did not feature in the starting five in the game, and took to court only after removing their turbans, with the former scoring a game-high 15 points.
Speaking to Dailybhaskar.com, BFI’s General Secretary Ajay Sud said the organization has taken cognizance of the event and will lodge a formal protest against FIBA on Thursday, July 24.
“We have taken note of it (the incident). This is unprecedented. Nothing of this sort has ever happened before,” he said.
“There is a meeting of FIBA Asia in Doha tomorrow. We will raise the issue there, and will lodge a formal protest against FIBA,” he confirmed.
K Govindraj, BFI’s senior Vice- President, will represent India in FIBA Asia meet on Thursday. Attempts to reach him for comments proved unsuccessful. Calls to BFI President R S Gill also went unanswered.
India put up a spirited show in the FIBA World Cup, where they defeated hosts China for the first time ever. Overall, with 3 wins and 4 losses, the Indians finished seventh in the nine-team competition.