Thursday, April 18, 2013

A blow to Sikh's fight for restoring their turban pride


AMRITSAR: In a blow to Sikh's fight for their turban pride, the Quebec Soccer Federation (QSF) has refused to adopt a direction from the Canadian Soccer Association (CSA) to allow Sikh players to wear turbans. While expressing disappointment over the decision of QSF World Sikh Organization (WSO) President Prem Singh Vinning told TOI on Thursday, "We fail to see what is so complicated about allowing Sikh children to play with their peers. What purpose does the QSF restriction on the turban serve? There is no conceivable justification for this. If there are genuine concerns, we are open to dialogue but if this situation is not quickly resolved, the real victims will be the children."

Late last week, in light of the decision of the International Football Association Board (IFAB) to allow headscarves for players, the CSA had confirmed that referees may, until further notice, extend this ruling to the wearing of turbans,patkas , keski. Vinning said that the Quebec Federation however had stated that it will not accommodate the turban and will send the issue to its provincial referees' committee, which will make a recommendation to the federation's executive committee in the coming months.

A spokesperson of WSO Balpreet Singh said that as soccer registration has already begun for the summer season, the QSF's delay in implementing the turban accommodation will mean Sikh children will be excluded for a second consecutive season adding that no other soccer association in Canada restricts the turban.WSO Vice-President (Quebec and Atlantic Region) Mukhbir Singh said, "the CSA, of which the QSF is a member, has clarified that the turban can be worn . The QSF decision to continue to exclude the turban means Sikh children in Quebec will miss another season of soccer with their peers. "I cannot see any logic in the QSF's agreeing to allow headscarves for girls but refusing to allow turbans for boys " said he.

with thanks : Times of India : Link

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