Restrictions on religious headwear in international basketball temporarily eased
In response to international criticism, the International Basketball Federation will allow religious head coverings on a trial basis.
Restrictions on religious head coverings in some basketball competitions will be loosened on a trial basis by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA). On Tuesday, FIBA announced it will relax its longstanding policy against “headgear, hair accessories and jewelry” which had been widely criticised as discriminatory by faith groups such as Sikhs, Muslims and Orthodox Jews.
Over the next two years, national basketball federations will be able to request uniform headgear exemptions from FIBA. During that time, the sports authority intends to monitor the implementation of the requests and its effect on competitions.
Below is FIBA’s official announcement of the changes.