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Two Sikh players forced to remove turbans during Basketball Asia Cup

Two Indian `Sikh` players were forced to remove turbans during the fifth edition of Fédération Internationale de Basketball (FIBA) Asia Cup, in China.

Zee Media Bureau
New Delhi: Two Indian `Sikh` players were forced to remove turbans during the fifth edition of Fédération Internationale de Basketball (FIBA) Asia Cup, in China. On July 12, when India were about to play against Japan, Amritpal Singh and Amjyot Singh were asked to take-off their turbans by the tournament organisers. Both the players were informed that they were breaking the International Basketball Federation rules and were not allowed to play with their turbans. While talking to a reputed English daily, `humiliated` Amritpal said: “We have always played in turbans, even in last year`s Asain Championship in Manila and also in the recently held Lusofonia Games in Goa.” The 5th edition of FIBA Asia Cup started in the Chinese city of Wuhan on July 11, and concluded on July 19. India were drawn in Pool A along with China, Iran, Indonesia and Japan. Though, India performed exceptionally well in the tournament, beating China and giving tough time to Iran, Jordan and Philippines, the humiliation they faced during the tournament is certainly an area of concern.