When Rajan Bassi took to the soccer fields in Prince George with his PGYSA All-West Glass under-9 teammates Saturday his fellow Sikhs in Quebec were doing the same.
The controversy over the Quebec Soccer Federation's decision to ban players from wearing turbans, patkas or keskis came to a halt Saturday when the Quebeckers backed down after FIFA criticized the ban and said, for now, players would be allowed to wear headgear.
Before the ban was lifted, Bassi said he felt bad for Sikhs in Quebec whose headgear is worn as a religious symbol.
"It's kind of not fair for them because we get to wear them and they don't," said Bassi. "I wouldn't play without my patka because it's my religion and I love my headgear."
A turban or patka allows Sikhs to wind their long hair up and keep it neatly tucked inside a bun. A member of the Sikh faith never cuts his hair.
The Prince George Youth Soccer Association said they allow all children from various backgrounds the opportunity to develop and advance their soccer skills no matter what their personal beliefs were.
In addition to Bassi there are about four or five other players in the PGYSA that wear headgear.
When the Quebec Soccer Federation issued its ban on players wearing headgear, the Canadian Soccer Association suspended them from inter-provincial competition. The Quebeckers have inquired about getting the June 10 ban lifted now that they've complied with the Canadian standards. The CSA confirmed the suspension was over.
Several youth soccer teams in Ontario were forced to pull out of a tournament in Montreal last weekend due to the ban.
Safety concerns was at the heart of the Quebec ban, in addition to the fact FIFA doesn't endorse turbans.
Ranjit Bassi, father of Rajan, said turbans don't cause a safety hazard.
"I don't believe it is a safety concern," said Ranjit Bassi. "No turban is harder then another, it's just a long cloth wrapped around your head, twisting your hair into a bun."
Since arriving in Prince George in 2003 from India, Ranjit said he hasn't experienced any on the job issues wearing his turban and no one on his son's soccer team cares.
The Quebec Federation may have one more hurdle to overcome as the head of the World Sikh Organization of Canada wants registration reopened to accommodate kids who missed the signup due to the ban.
FIFA said they would accept players wearing turbans but they have an official meeting in October where the issue is likely to be discussed.
With files from CP
