FIBA approves new headgear rule
FIBA, the international governing body of basketball, approved a rule allowing players to wear headgear that complies with their religious faith.
The new rules goes into effect on Oct. 1.
"The new rule comes as a result of the fact that traditional dress codes in some countries - which called for the head and/or entire body being covered - were incompatible with FIBA's previous headgear rule," FIBA said.
FIBA also states that the rule "minimizes the risk of injuries as well as preserve consistency of the color of the uniform."
Players can now wear any headgear, such as turbans, yarmulkes and hijabs as long as it is black or white, or the same dominant color as that of the uniform and doesn't cover any part of the face entirely.
The headgear must also have “no opening/closing elements around the face and/or neck.”
FIBA's first-ever Mid-Term Congress signed off on the rule on Thursday after looking at the issue for the better part of two years.
- Scooby Axson
