“In fact, there are many examples of Sikhs who have safely competed in basketball at many levels with their articles of faith intact,” the letter says.

The letter cited the example of Darsh Preet Singh who captained the basketball team at Trinity University while maintaining his turban throughout a successful career at the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).

Singh has become a model of success for Sikhs across America and the world, and has shown that a Sikh turban neither hinders nor endangers NCAA competitors, it said.

Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) recently changed its policies to allow Sikhs to wear turbans while playing soccer.

Secretary General Jerome Valcke said in announcing the decision: “You cannot have discrimination,” the letter noted.

“Basketball is a beloved team sport that has the ability to bring people of all backgrounds together, regardless of history, culture, language, and religion.”

“In addition to becoming one of the most popular sports in many countries, basketball has come to exemplify how those of diverse backgrounds can communicate, coordinate, and work together in pursuit of a shared goal,” the letter said.

“We believe that makes the basketball court the perfect venue to showcase the diversity of our world and the ways in which sports bring people together,” the Congressmen said.

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