Growing up in Texas, he says he and his brothers were often denied the right to play sports at school and college because of their turbans, a religious headdress worn by Sikh men.
The law requires that the Maryland Public Secondary School Athletics Association, the governing bodies of public higher education institutions, the county education councils, and the community college boards of directors to allow student athletes to change uniforms athletic or team, to conform to their religious or cultural requirements, or preferences for modesty.
Under the law, changes to athletic or team uniforms may include headdresses, shirts, or leggings worn for religious reasons.
Any changes to the uniform must not interfere with the movement of the student athlete or pose a safety hazard to themselves or others. The bill also stipulates that uniform changes must not “cover any part of the face, unless it is necessary for the safety of the wearer.”
Forced to choose between faith or sport
“I think that’s what I really believe in in sport. You should bring people together, not divide them.”
Singh held true to this belief during his days as a student athlete, where he and his brothers petitioned various sports governing bodies to allow them to play in religious clothing, paving the way for greater inclusion.
To play high school soccer wearing a turban, Singh says he petitioned the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) and was given a letter to take from game to game stating he could keep religious attire. while he played.
“While this was helpful for me personally, it was essentially an exception to a discriminatory rule. But now we’re at a point where we should just change the rule that’s discriminatory,” says Singh.
“We shouldn’t be putting the burden on individuals, and especially children, of having to get permission to play and that’s a really important element of this Maryland rule.”
In 2017, the Maryland student was barred from her basketball team’s first regional final appearance because of her hijab, for which, she said, no one had previously invoked a rule saying she needed a state-signed waiver. .
Other high school sports where athletes no longer need prior approval to wear religious headgear are volleyball, basketball, soccer, field hockey, spirit, and softball, according to the NFHS release.
In swimming and diving, competitors may wear full-body suits for religious reasons without prior authorization from state associations.
Permission to play does not guarantee acceptance
Despite this, Singh says there is much more progress to be made around the world.
“It’s great that Maryland is moving on this law. It’s huge,” he tells CNN. “But I think it should be general in every state in the United States. I think it should be true in every country. I think it should be true with every sports governing body.”
And for players who wear religious clothing, permission to play isn’t the only obstacle to acceptance.
Singh recounts the backlash he received from his younger brother Darsh Preet Singh after making history as the first turbaned American Sikh to play senior college basketball, governed by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).
The problem is not an isolated one for the United States. The Singh brothers’ stories highlight the racism and xenophobia that fuel the flames of ongoing debates around the world about religious clothing in sports.
Singh argues that such a conflict can only be addressed by having “collective humanity” sincerely acknowledge that just because there are legal bans on religious garments, it does not mean that such rules are fair or equitable.
“I think people have to go back to the table and say, ‘Hey, these rules weren’t necessarily created for the society we live in today or taking into account global diversity,'” he said.
“This is a question of equality and inclusion and there is a lot more to work on.”