FIFA Sets To Allow Headgear, Turbans in Professional Basketball
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Headgear, including hijab, turbans and yarmulkes will be allowed in professional basketball following the approval of a proposal by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) that overturns a ban on such head coverings.
The organization’s central board approved the proposal on Wednesday and the new rule was formally ratified during FIBA’s midterm congress on Thursday.
“It came up in our board meeting and everyone supported making the change,” USA Basketball CEO Jim Tooley told AP news agency prior to the FIBA meeting.
In February, the basketball governing body tasked its playing rules committee to create a proposal that outlines how headgear could safely be worn in competition.
It was feared that head coverings could fall off during the game and potentially pose a risk to players.
#FIBAAllowHijab
The rule change comes after a successful social media campaign that began more than two years ago aimed at overturning the ban.
A number of change.org petitions, calling for a change to the rule have garnered more than 137,000 signatures.
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